To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to practice good dental hygiene. Flossing, along with regular brushing every day, is an essential part of dental health. Flossing gets in between your teeth and helps clear away food particles that are difficult for your toothbrush to reach. Flossing also sweeps away harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Chapter Overview
How to Floss Like a Pro
Most people are aware of the importance of flossing, but find flossing difficult or don’t like going through an extra step after brushing. Some people are unsure about how to floss correctly.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you floss your teeth to help make the process more comfortable:
Step 1 – Choose Your Dental Floss
You can find dental floss at the drug store, or grocery store — anywhere personal hygiene items are sold. Find floss that is waxed, as this will make it easier to slide between your teeth. Some people prefer to use dental tape, which is a bit wider and flatter than regular floss. You can also find floss in a variety of different flavours to make it more fun.
Step 2 – Take a Piece of Floss
Take a piece of dental floss the length of your wrist to your shoulder. Wrap the floss around your middle and index fingers, leaving about two inches of floss between your fingers.
Step 3 – Slide the Floss Between Your Teeth
Take the piece of floss and carefully but firmly slide it in between your teeth. Form a ‘C’ shape with the floss around your tooth and slide up and down the tooth’s surface. This sliding action gets at plaque and bacteria below the gum line. Think of it like wiping your tooth up and down rather than back and forth
Step 4 – Get All Sides of Your Teeth
Repeat step 3 for all of your teeth, and be sure to pay extra attention to the back teeth. Move to a new section of floss for each tooth. It is normal to see a bit of bleeding at your gums when you floss for the first time, and this should go away after a few days. Be sure to throw your used floss into the garbage can when you are finished.
The Canadian Dental Association also recommends brushing your teeth after flossing rather than before. This method helps clear away the most plaque and bacteria and prevents gum disease and tooth decay.
Consider Using a Floss Pick
Floss picks are small plastic tools that are preloaded with a piece of floss. Many people find them easier to use than traditional floss. They can be helpful for children, older people, or anyone who has trouble with their hands. The bonus is, on the other side of the floss pick, there is a sharp end like a toothpick that can help dislodge stubborn bits of food.
Floss picks come as disposable plastic picks, or can also be refillable, so there’s less of an environmental impact.
A water pick is also an alternative to dental floss. The water pick sprays a stream of water that gets in between your teeth and clears out food particles. Water picks are also helpful for people who wear braces as they can get around tricky metal wiring.
According to a dental clinic in Etobicoke professional, that with a little extra attention, you can help prevent cavities and gum disease and take great care of your teeth! Flossing isn’t hard, and it is essential for your dental health.
Get in touch with your trusted dental clinic in Ottawa for your dental needs. Moreover, if you are some who is looking for assistance to grow your dental practice, get in touch with an SEO professional for dentists to help your practice flourish, and enjoy long-term success.