Floss it Right: The Ultimate Guide to Flossing
A good oral hygiene routine is important to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Also taking care of your teeth, can help prevent problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing twice a day is an important step in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Flossing your teeth will ensure that you are removing any food that is stuck in between your teeth. Not only is it important to floss but, it is just important to ensure you are using a proper technique.
To help you with your flossing routine, here are a few things to consider:
1. Start by using a generous amount of floss and wind it around your index finger on each hand. You want to be able to apply enough pressure to move the floss through the contacts between your teeth.
2. Gently guide the floss between each pair of teeth using a up and down motion.
3. Create a C shape with the floss to hug the tooth and guide the floss up and down the surface of the tooth. This ensures that you are removing any plaque that is present on the sides of the teeth.
4. Use a new section of the floss as your move from one tooth to the next.
There are different types of floss available to purchase, such as flavoured, waxed, unwaxed and ribbon. Trying different types will allow you to determine which works best for you.
If you are unable to use traditional floss, for various reasons, there are other options available, such as flossing picks or a water flosser. A flossing pick has a small piece of floss attached to a handle which can be used similar to floss. A water flosser will spray water between your teeth to remove food and debris. It is ideal to use traditional floss, but these options are a good alternative if you are unable to do so.
Flossing daily will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. It helps remove plaque and cleans areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. It is important to remember that regular hygiene visits and dental exams are essential to maintaining your oral health. Regular cleanings will allow us to assess the health of your gums and help prevent progression of gingivitis.
