We hear about flossing, in conjunction with brushing our teeth, every time we go to the dentist. But do we incorporate it into our daily routine? If you do, do you know your technique is on point? Let’s review some of the basics of flossing for clean teeth and gums.
When you floss, make sure to use a floss that is specifically designed for this purpose–single filament if possible. This will prevent the floss from fraying and splitting. Choose a floss with the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the packaging. Take a 18 inch piece of floss piece of floss and wind it around two fingers (one finger on each hand).
Use the floss to gently remove food and plaque. Do this by using a gentle back-and-forth motion to gently slide the floss in between each set of teeth. Floss all the way around the teeth–even behind the back molars.
It doesn’t matter whether you brush your teeth before or after brushing teeth, as long as both get done. It should take 2-3 minutes to clean all your teeth, If you have trouble sending that much time on it, set a timer.
Make sure you are supporting your flossing habits with regular visits to the dentist. If you are in the Shakopee, Minnesota area and would like to set up an appointment with Dr. Matthew Jelinek, call Matthew Jelinek at 952.233.1020. Thanks!