Although brushing gets rid of most of the food debris in your teeth, it’s nearly impossible to remove every little bit from between your chompers. That’s where flossing comes in; with a simple piece of coated string, you can clean out all those nooks and crannies, preventing plaque buildup and reducing the possibility of cavities and tooth decay. Unfortunately, over 20% of Americans never floss their teeth*, and many who do, don’t know how to floss properly. Well, the excuses are over. Below, we’ve listed out the 5 quick and easy steps to flossing your teeth so you can get the brightest smile possible.
1. Cut a piece of floss about 18” long, or about the distance from the crook of your arm to the tip of your middle finger.
2. Wind the ends of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving a 3-4” section unwound between your hands.
3. Pinch this floss between your thumb and index finger and slide your fingers together until there is a 1-2” gap in the middle of the floss.
4. Starting in one corner of your mouth, guide the floss between each tooth in a gentle zig-zag motion. You want the floss to hug the side of the tooth as you go up and down, and make sure to bring the floss to the very bottom of the tooth in order to clean under the gumline.
5. Unwind the floss slightly and pinch off a clean section for each remaining tooth. Repeat until all teeth have been flossed.
That’s all there is to it! Easy, right? Don’t forget to show off your great technique at your next DentaLux appointment — or ask your dentist or hygienist for more tips on how to keep your teeth squeaky clean.
Think you’re a great flosser? Let us know how you learned in the comments!
*According to the American Dental Association
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