Flossing is an integral part of a good oral health care routine. You should floss at least once daily or after every meal to make sure your gums and teeth stay healthy and strong. Brushing your teeth twice a day isn’t enough. Flossing helps to get in-between small places where your toothbrush can’t. If you are flossing daily, thumbs up to you! However, have you ever wondered if you are flossing the ‘right way’? If you don’t do it correctly, you may not be cleaning your mouth as effectively as you think.
To get the optimum results from flossing, follow the guidelines below:
- Get an 18 inch floss and wind it around your index or middle finger of your both hands. Make sure to leave at least two inches of floss in between your hands. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index finger.
- Guide the floss between your upper teeth using your thumb and use your index fingers to guide the floss between your lower teeth. Contour the floss around your tooth and curve the floss to form a C-shape. Slide the floss between your tooth and gums and floss up and down against your gum line and tooth surface.
- As you floss from one tooth to the next, use a clean 2 inches length of floss each time. Make sure you also floss the back of each tooth. Rinse with mouthwash after flossing to remove the debris.
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. Make it a habit daily. If you want to learn more about proper flossing or oral hygiene techniques, visit our office in Toronto, at Toronto Beach Dental.
Happy flossing!
– Dr. Jay Rabinovich