How to Floss Your Teeth Like a Dental Hygienist
October is National Dental Hygiene Month! Oral hygiene is the foundation to excellent dental health. A proper dental hygiene routine at home is the best way to prevent dental complications and keep your smile looking bright and healthy. Westchase Premier Dental would like to share some expert flossing advice to help keep your smile bright and healthy. For those of you wanting to learn the techniques used to floss like a pro, this article is for you!
What is floss?
Floss is made from nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments. Flavoring agents, such as mint, may be added to make flossing more pleasant. There is no difference how waxed or unwaxed floss works in terms of effectiveness. Just use whichever you prefer and are more likely to use often. The type of floss you use doesn’t really matter as long as you are using it properly.
Proper Flossing Method
Flossing prior to brushing ensures that the particles and bacteria unearthed during flossing will be removed during brushing. Either way is acceptable as long as you do a thorough job. Also, be sure to floss at least once a day.
Wrap about 18 inches of floss around your two middle fingers, with one of the two fingers having the majority of the floss. By wrapping the floss around the two middle fingers, your index fingers are free to use to guide the floss. Start all the way in the back and slide the floss around your back tooth. Gently use an up and down motion going down to the gum line until you meet some resistance. As you get to each tooth, let out a little more floss and wrap it around the finger picking up the slack. This way you are using a cleaning area of floss and you transfer the bacteria from tooth to tooth. Move to the opposite side of that tooth and gently slide the floss down in between two teeth and work it up and down several times. Repeat this motion until you have reached all areas between your teeth, top and bottom. Make sure you don’t “snap” the floss so you don’t injure your gums.
Congratulations! Now you know just how to floss your teeth like a dental hygienist! We want all of our patients to have the insight to be able to brush the right way and give yourself the excellent oral care you deserve! Contact Westchase Premier Dental at (813) 475 – 4528 to schedule your next professional cleaning and exam.
Source: ADA.org
