Flossing can be a complete disaster if you don’t know how to do it
properly. Here are 5 tips to flossing:
- Choosing the Right Floss: There are many types of floss available on the market. If you have very tight contacts between your teeth and floss usually snags or breaks while you are trying to maneuver it through the contacts, look for floss that is waxed. Waxed floss will allow you to easily glide in between those tight contacts and thoroughly clean the surfaces in between your teeth. If you have limited dexterity, try using one of the many flossing aids that are available today. These aids are specifically designed to eliminate the need to use both hands while flossing. Examples for some flossing aids are WaterPiks and Air Floss.
- Dispense the Floss: Before brushing your teeth, measure an arms length of floss, approximately 18 inches, and wind each end around your middle fingers. Grasp 1 to 2 inches of the floss with your index (pointer) finger and thumb.
- Begin Flossing: Gently glide the floss in between the teeth in a sawing motion. Use care not to snap the floss between the teeth as this may cause trauma to the tissue. Angle the Floss Correctly: Angle the floss so it hugs the tooth in a “c” shape. Gently slide the floss up and down the surface of the tooth making sure it goes slightly below the gum-line. When complete, angle the floss to hug the tooth in the opposite direction, and repeat this step.
- Floss Between All of Your Teeth: Continue flossing all of the upper and lower teeth. Try working in a clockwise direction, beginning with your upper molars on your left side and then ending with your lower molars on your left side. As you move on to then next tooth, unwind the floss from your fingers, and rewind it so that you are always using clean section of floss.
- Always Follow Flossing With Brushing: When you have finished flossing, follow with brushing and rinse with either water or mouthwash. Try to floss before every brushing. If you do not have time for flossing in the morning, always floss in the evening before your final brush of the day.
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