How to Floss the RIGHT Way and Why Technique Makes All the Difference

Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once per day is absolutely essential to experiencing a healthier smile today and in the years to come.

A lot of people put flossing way down on their priority list because they
re not quite sure what flossing does and, secondly, even if they understand the benefits, they
re not sure how to floss properly.

That
s unfortunate because,
according to the American Dental Association, plaque that
s left to fester in between your teeth can eventually harden and turn into cavity-causing tartar and calculus.

flossing mother and daughter

Proper Flossing for Great Results

Flossing the right way can help remove the plaques and acids that can upset the pH balance in your mouth and potentially cause a slew of other problems like cavities, gum irritation and even gum disease (e.g., gingivitis).

The unfortunate aspect about all of this is that millions of Americans claim that they simply don
t have time to floss or that flossing isn
t a big enough priority to set aside a block of time to get down to it.

It really pays off over the long term, though, to devote a few minutes before or after work to remove the harmful bacteria and plaque in between your teeth.

How to Floss the Right Way

  1. The first thing that you want to do before flossing is wash your hands, since your hands are going to be in contact with your mouth.
  2. Then break off about 12 to 18 inches of dental floss so that you can
    go from one tooth to anotherand still keep a clean segment to floss between each successive tooth.
  3. Use the pincer grip with your index finger and thumb on each hand to manipulate the floss as you go along from tooth to tooth.
  4. Gently slide the floss between your teeth in a slight zigzag, and try to avoid making any jerking or snapping movements, as this can damage the delicate gum tissue.
  5. You also want to make sure and get below the gum line all the way to the top of the tooth. Try to get beneath the gum line without making any sudden pushing movements and following your teeth
    s natural curvature.
  6. As you move from one tooth to the next, unroll a fresh section of the floss held between your hands so that a clean segment is making contact with each new tooth.

Rough Flossing Isn
t Better Flossing

Finally,
remember that you
re trying to find that happy medium between flossing too hard and not hard enough.

If your
flossing is too rough, then you might be damaging the very gum tissue that you
re trying to protect, whereas if your flossing is too timid, then you might only be scratching the surface (so to speak) without removing plaque and trapped food particles.

And if your gums are hurting after flossing, you can try using a more comfortable ribbon floss as opposed to nylon or plastic string floss.

Just make sure the product has the ADA Seal of Acceptance on it so that you know that it
s safe and effective for your teeth and gums.

To learn more about flossing and great oral hygiene tips for your mouth, contact us today.