How to floss your teeth

Flossing is one of the main essential oral health practices. You should floss your teeth at least once a day, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Flossing should be accompanied with brushing your teeth, rinsing with mouthwash, and chewing sugar-free gum between meals. However, flossing can sometimes be overlooked because many don’t know the proper flossing technique.

WHY IS FLOSSING ESSENTIAL?

As mentioned before good dental health can only be achieved when you perform daily flossing.  You could do this when you brush your teeth at night. These two practices are performed to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. Brushing will remove plaque from the visible surfaces of your teeth and flossing is used to remove it from between. If you don’t remove plaque daily, it can develop into tartar and eventually lead to gum disease. It’s then possible to lose your teeth because of gum disease.

Flossing will also remove food particles from your mouth which lead to bad breath.

WHAT TYPE OF FLOSS SHOULD I USE?

You can find two types of floss on the market. You can choose between a nylon floss, or one made from filament. Nylon floss is sometimes flavored and therefore more appealing to children. Filament floss is stronger than nylon and doesn’t break as easily. However, you can expect to pay more for it.

HOW TO FLOSS THE RIGHT WAY?

Follow these steps to master the proper flossing technique:

1. Take a piece of dental floss about 18 inches long.
2. Either wrap around your two index fingers or pinch between your thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 2-inch section between your two hands.
3. Carefully slide the floss between each tooth using a saw motion. (Be careful not to force it down.)
4. Curve the floss around the tooth creating a C shape.
5. Slide the floss up and down the tooth going deep into the gum line.
6. After cleaning each tooth, use a new 2-inch piece of floss to clean the next tooth.
7. Continue the steps until all teeth are clean.

Make sure your hands are clean before you floss. In this way, you will reduce the transfer of bacteria into your mouth.

IS IT BETTER TO BRUSH FIRST OR FLOSS FIRST?

It doesn’t matter whether you floss or brush first. What is more important is that you use the proper flossing technique and that you do them both regularly. Doing so will contribute towards good oral health. Be sure to supplement your oral care with visits to the surgeon twice a year. They will remove any buildup of plaque that you may have missed.

‍WHAT IF I’VE NEGLECTED MY TEETH BEYOND REPAIR?

Neglect can lead to missing teeth either from gum disease or tooth decay. The surgeons at Bay Area OSM  can help replace them. Our expert surgeons offer expert dental care such as dental implants to their patients. Implants are an excellent option to replace missing teeth as they look and feel like natural teeth as well as maintaining natural function. Contact us now to make an appointment and see whether dental implants are for you.