If you’ve never been told by your dentist or hygienist to improve your flossing, you are among a rare minority. It’s one of those hygiene habits that often gets pushed aside and forgotten by the masses and yet it’s one that can do your chopper so much good.
Here are a few pointers to remind you just how easy flossing your teeth can by so that you can enjoy all the benefits that come with tackling this task!
- Use around 18” of floss and wrap most of it around one middle finger. As you use it, wind it around the same finger on the other hand, taking up the slack.
- Slide floss gently into the space between the tooth and gum until you feel slight resistance. Then curve the floss into a C shape against the tooth and gently scrape the side of the tooth moving away from the gum.
- Repeat this technique for all teeth, not forgetting the very last teeth in the back.
- When you’ve flossed all teeth, be sure to rinse to remove all loosened plaque and particles.
- Use the same pattern each time you floss so you get into a regular routine and don’t miss any teeth.
- Always floss gently so that you do not injure your gums.
- It is normal for gums to bleed slightly and for there to be some soreness if you have not flossed regularly. As you floss more regularly plaque is broken up and gums will heal.
- By age 8, children should be able to floss their own teeth so help them by flossing with them at a young age and they will be ready to go it on their own by age 8.
Regular flossing is the best way to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gum line where a toothbrush can’t reach as well. This is usually where some of the worst tooth decay begins.
By flossing at least once a day, you take great strides in the fight to keep teeth and gums healthy and looking and feeling their best!
