Brushing your teeth does not always remove plaque which can eventually harden and turn into tartar, so flossing your teeth regularly helps to prevent cavities and gum disease. Floss at least once a day to help remove plaque from your teeth that your toothbrush can not reach. Flossing should be a part of your daily routine.
How To Floss Correctly
- Break off the dental floss to the right size.
- Wrap more  dental floss around both of your middle fingers.
- Hold the dental floss firmly with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Place the dental floss in between two teeth. Gently glide it up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth.
As the dental floss reaches your gums, bend it at the base of the tooth to form a C-shape. This allows dental floss to enter the space between your gums and your teeth.
Important Tips About Flossing
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- Keep in mind that flossing should not be very painful, so if it is, you are probably flossing too hard!
- With each tooth, use a new, clean section of dental floss.
- Do not glide the dental floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums.
- It is normal to feel a little discomfort when flossing so not to worry! it should ease after about a week or two of flossing.
There are numerous options for cleaning between teeth such as dental floss, a dental pick, a pre-threaded flosser, a water flosser, tiny brushes that reach between your teeth, or a wooden plaque remover. In addition, there are also many different floss options including waxed, unwaxed, thick, or comfort floss.
You should always speak to your dentist and/or orthodontist about which types of oral health care products you should use that will be most effective for your teeth and gums. Look for products that contain the ‘ADA Seal of Acceptance’ so that you know they were evaluated for safety and effectiveness
