Of all the activities done in a person’s daily oral hygiene routine, flossing is almost unanimously the most difficult. Manipulating a small piece of floss between your teeth can require a lot of finesse and manual dexterity. Even those gifted with steady hands still manage to make mistakes in their technique. We’ve dedicated today’s blog to flossing technique — the right way. Read on to find out how you can avoid a lecture from your dentist at the next check-up.
- Floss Every Day — The most significant mistake that most patients make in their flossing routine is choosing not to floss in the first place. Flossing is a necessary part of the upkeep of your dental hygiene. To maintain peak health of your teeth, you should floss at least once a day.
- Use The Right Amount of Floss — If you use too little floss, it will be difficult maneuver. If you use too much, then you’ll be wasteful. About 18 inches is the perfect amount.
- Gently Floss Between Your Teeth — While flossing you should gently move the floss up and down between the teeth to remove plaque and other debris. Avoid “popping” the floss in between each of your teeth as this can cause bleeding and inflamed gums. Many people floss too hard (often causing pain or soreness) and don’t realize that all it takes is a gentle flossing motion to floss properly.
- Make the Floss In a “C” or “U” Motion — When you floss, the thread of the floss should form the shape of either a “C” or a “U” against the tooth. This means you’ll actually be flossing against the tooth and between the gums and teeth.
If you have any further questions regarding flossing technique or you would like to schedule an appointment with our office, contact Lakeway Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry today.