Are You Flossing Properly?

When it comes to optimal oral hygiene, flossing plays one of the biggest roles in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But it is essential that you know how to do it correctly. 

When you schedule a dental cleaning with us at SPA Dental Group at our practices in the Midtown East area of Manhattan, New York, or Washington, DC, learning how to floss properly is something we teach you. We also explore oral hygiene and preventive care tips for at home.

We begin teaching flossing techniques to our youngest patients at their pediatric visits. 

The importance of flossing

Flossing dislodges debris and particles of food that can get stuck between your teeth. If you don’t floss, bacteria and plaque can build up in your mouth. Plaque has a sticky consistency that can cause cavities and gum disease if not removed.

Most everyone knows that it is essential to brush their teeth, but not everyone knows how often to floss. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. However, if you don’t floss correctly, you can cause damage to your teeth and gums.

How to floss the right way

Our dental team has the expertise to teach you how to floss and also demonstrate the proper technique. Here’s how to floss:

1. Pull about 18 inches of floss from its container and break it off. 
2. Wind the ends of the floss around the ends of your middle fingers.
3. Hold the floss tightly with your thumbs and forefingers.
4. Slide the floss between two teeth, and gently glide up and down, making contact with both sides of each tooth. Be careful not to floss down into your gums to avoid bruising or scratching.
5. When the floss gets close to your gums, wrap the floss at the base around the tooth to form a C shape. Slowly slide the floss into the space between your tooth and gums.

As you move to the next tooth, adjust your floss to use a new section. Simply release the floss at one tip of your middle finger and tighten with the other middle finger. Continue these steps until every tooth has been flossed.

If you need visual instructions, click here. Print it out and keep it in your bathroom for extra guidance. We can also provide recommendations on what dental floss to use, and we can also give you tips on how to floss effectively if you wear braces.

To learn more about flossing, make an appointment at our location in the Midtown East area of Manhattan, New York, or Washington, DC. Give us a call or click the “book online” button today.