The Right Way To Floss Your Teeth

Do you know how to floss your teeth? Many people, even adults, do not know how to floss properly. Proper flossing prevents gum disease and tooth decay, so it is important you have the right technique to maintain oral health.

So today, the dentist team at Smile Spa is here to talk about how to floss your teeth and maintain healthy gums and teeth.

How to Floss Your Teeth Properly: Step-By-Step Guide

The guide below shares the main steps to use dental floss properly. If you have any more questions about flossing, feel free to call!

• Unwind 16 to 20 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your middle fingers, leaving two inches in the middle.
• Hold the ends of the floss with your index fingers and thumbs, pulling the floss taut.
• Slide the floss between your teeth and gently press down with one of your middle fingers until it slips between them.
• Pull the floss to one side with your thumbs and index fingers, forming a C-shape against the side of the tooth. Do not pull the C-shape floss too tight against the teeth.
• Move the floss with a gentle rubbing motion, using a finger to ensure the floss reaches under your gum line. Move the floss gently around gum tissue, and do not press too hard into the gumline.
• Maintain the C-shape, and work the floss up the sides of each tooth with your fingers until it comes out of the gap.
• Repeat this process one tooth at a time. Make sure you get floss behind the last tooth on the top and bottom of your mouth using an index or middle finger.
• Throw the used floss away in the garbage can. You should not reuse regular floss because it can have bacteria and other harmful residues.
• Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.

Why Is Flossing Important for Dental Health?

Once a day flossing is traditional wisdom, but many people do not know why flossing matters. Daily brushing does a good job removing plaque from large flat tooth surfaces, but it cannot reach everywhere. Floss gets at the remaining plaque in spots toothbrushes miss, like between teeth and under your gum line.

Types of Dental Floss

Regular floss has two variants: unwaxed and waxed. According to the ADA, the only difference is comfort, and the type of floss has no bearing on effectiveness. You can also buy dental tape---a type of wide and broad standard floss that fits easily between the teeth.

If you have braces or other dental fixtures, you can try super floss. Super floss has a spongy section for cleaning around braces and a plastic end to thread the floss between metal wiring. You can also use wax floss for braces.

If regular floss does not work for you, you can try water flossers or air flossers. These alternatives use small brushes to clean between bottom and top teeth.

Benefits of Regular Flossing

Proper flossing is one of the three cornerstones of good oral hygiene, in addition to using a toothbrush and

mouthwash. Below are just a few benefits of regular flossing.

Remove Plaque

Your teeth and gum line build up sticky plaque deposits that you cannot always see. Plaque forms when bacteria emit acids to consume carbohydrates on the tooth. The acid and starches mix, forming a yellowish, sticky residue.

Plaque dissolves the enamel on teeth, leading to tooth decay and other types of periodontal disease. Hardened plaque also turns into tartar along the gum line and increases your risk of gum disease.

Proper flossing removes plaque between your teeth and under your gums, reducing the risk of cavities and oral disease.

Stop Bad Breath

When you eat, food particles get trapped between your teeth and decay, giving you bad breath. Floss removes particles from your mouth and prevents plaque buildup around food residue. Cavities from tooth decay and gum disease also cause foul breath.

Maintain Healthy Heart

Research has shown a link between poor oral health and heart disease. Bacteria on the teeth can enter the body's bloodstream and damage heart valves. Older adults are more at risk of developing heart problems from bad oral health. Floss reduces the risks of tooth decay leading to heart problems.

Prevent Yellowing

Flossing alone will not make your teeth whiter, but it can help prevent tooth discoloration from staining. Flossing removes molecules that cause discoloration between teeth, preventing the characteristic tooth yellowing from stains.

How Often Should I Use Dental Floss?

According to the ADA, you should floss your teeth once a day after brushing for at least two minutes. You should floss your teeth before brushing to loosen food particles. Floss breaks up particles and plaque between teeth, and brushing with toothpaste removes them.

Tips for Effective Flossing

Using dental floss is one of the best ways to prevent periodontal disease. Below are some tips so you can floss your teeth properly.

• Use the opposite hand and fingers to floss on the other side of your mouth
• Flossing might initially cause slight bleeding in your gums. As you get into a habit of regular flossing, your teeth will not bleed anymore.
• Use a different clean section of floss for each tooth. If you do not use a new clean section, you can spread bacteria around. If you run out of clean sections to use, get another piece of floss.
• You can floss either at night or first thing in the morning. Many people prefer flossing at night to remove food buildup from the day. Some people like to brush and floss after breakfast.
• If you have sensitive gums, take care that you do not press on either side of the tooth too hard with your thumbs when you floss.

Schedule a Dental Appointment Today!

Dr. Silman's Smile Spas have been serving New Jersey for 20 years and have helped countless people achieve a healthy smile. We treat our patients like family, and it shows. Our welcoming environment prioritizes comfort and relaxation.

Contact us online to schedule an appointment or call today at (732) 577-1515 if you have questions on how to floss your teeth!