5 Steps to Proper Flossing

Are you making any mistakes when you floss your teeth? Photo Credits: Pink Sherbet Photography | From Wylio | CC-BY

Flossing is an important regimen for keeping your teeth healthy. But are you flossing right?

Check out this guide to see if you’re making any mistakes when you floss.

Flossing is very important in oral hygiene so here’s how you should do it.

1. Get enough floss

Pull 18 to 24 inches of dental floss from the floss dispenser. It’s better to have enough on your first pull than to have to cut another length of it and waste even more length of floss.

2. Secure the floss

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Wrap the ends of the floss around your index finger and middle finger.  You should have about 2 inches of floss to work against your teeth. Use your thumbs to help slide the floss up and down your teeth.

3. Get in there!

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Get the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure it goes beneath the gum line. Don’t stretch or force the floss too much. It may cut or bruise sensitive gum tissue.

4. Floss the Rear Molars, Too

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Don’t forget to the rear molars. It’s a bit tricky to get into those nooks but they’re just as important as your front teeth. Gum disease and tooth decay frequently infect these areas.

5. Rinse

Rinse your mouth with mouth wash or water when you’re done flossing. This is to make sure that even those particles that got dislodged but were left in your mouth are gone for good.

Experts debate the order on whether flossing should be done before or after brushing your teeth. Either way you’ll have your pros and cons.  What’s important is to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Don’t be alarmed if at first your gums start to bleed after flossing. Experts say this is perfectly normal. Unless there is a serious dental problem or real physical damage to the tissue it is normal for your gums to bleed.

If you don’t really like flossing there are alternatives called interdental cleaners. Visit Affinity Dental Clinics for advice on what to get!