You know you’re supposed to brush your teeth at least twice per day to keep your smile healthy. Besides your toothbrush, you have another essential tool at home to maintain your dental health. Flossing is equally important as your toothbrush to prevent common issues from occurring, particularly gum disease. While it may seem self-explanatory, many people don’t floss correctly. The wrong technique not only makes it less effective, but it can also damage your gum tissue. You don’t need to put your smile at risk. Here are 5 tips to make flossing easy and effective.
Don’t Skip Nightly Flossing
Besides tooth decay, gum disease is a big threat to the health of your smile. Although it can be avoided, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 50% of adults have a form of it. Many cases could be prevented with proper flossing.
If you’re only brushing your teeth, you’re leaving as much as 40% of your tooth’s surfaces uncleaned. This allows harmful tartar to accumulate, which can infect the gum tissue. Flossing your teeth at least once a day significantly reduces your risk of gum disease by removing the buildup.
1. Use the Right Amount of Floss
It’s best to use about 18 inches of high-quality floss that’s earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Wind a portion of the floss around of your middle fingers on each hand. This allows you to collect the floss around your fingers as it becomes dirty.
2. Hold the Floss Correctly
Use your thumbs and forefingers to create a small section of floss that has minimal slack. This allows it to be inserted easily between two teeth.
3. Carefully Insert the Floss Between Teeth
Gently insert the floss between two teeth using a gentle back-and-forth motion to avoid snapping it onto the gum tissue.
4. Use the Right Motions
After the floss is between two teeth near the gum line, form a “C” shape against a tooth. Carefully slide the floss up and down the entire length of the tooth using a back-and-forth motion.
5. Repeat
You’ll want to repeat the previous 4 steps for each tooth in your mouth, including those in the back.
Protect Your Smile Today!
If you skip flossing your teeth because you have difficulty holding the strand or you can’t achieve the right motions, you don’t need to leave your teeth uncleaned. There are several alternatives to traditional floss, like flossers and waterflossers. Your dentist can help you find the right product to meet your needs.
Besides maintaining your oral hygiene at home, don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year to ensure your smile stays healthy.
About MoreSMILES Dental Spa
Our office strives to provide personalized care for patients of all ages. We focus on prevention to create generations of healthy smiles that last. Our office provides complete preventive services, like cleanings, checkups, and oral cancer screenings. If it’s time for your next routine visit, contact our office today for an appointment.