The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth which your toothbrush may not be able to reach. Plaque which is not removed by brushing can eventually harden, cause cavities and gum disease. To maximize the benefits of flossing, follow these 7 simple steps;
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- Cut about 18” of floss from the floss spool.
- Wind half of the floss around your right middle finger and the other half around your left middle finger, leaving 1” to 2” of floss between your fingers to work with.
- Hold the unwound floss between your thumbs and index fingers, making the floss taut.
- Keeping the floss taut, slid the floss gently up and down between your teeth. If there is resistance, a gentle back and forth motion will help to slid the floss between the teeth. Do not force or snap the floss between your teeth as this may cause damage to your gums.
- Once between the teeth, move the floss to the base of the tooth, gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth.
- To remove floss from between your teeth, use a gentle back and forth motion to bring the floss up and away from your teeth.
- Before flossing the next set of teeth, unwind the floss between your fingers to expose a clean section of floss. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
To ensure that you are flossing correctly, talk with your Dentist. Every mouth is different. Your dentist is most qualified to advise you on the best flossing practices and technique to ensure healthy oral hygiene.
Happy Flossing.
Flossing Made Easy – The Best Way to Floss your Teeth from Your Dental Health Partners of Massachusetts
