04 May How To Floss Properly and Effectively
Flossing is a crucial step in one’s dental care routine as it removes plaque and bacteria that a toothbrush just simply cannot reach. However, people often overlook the importance of flossing or don’t know the basic principles on how to floss effectively. Plaque is an invisible bacterial film that develops on your teeth every single day. Flossing every single day ensures that plaque doesn’t harden into tartar, which can only be removed with professional cleaning. Here’s what you need to know before picking up that string of floss.
- The length of your floss should equal the length from your hand to your shoulder. Then, wrap it in between your index and middle finger, leaving approximately 2 inches of space in between your fingers.
- Slide the floss in between your teeth, making a “C” shape. Wipe from top to bottom 2 or 3 times before moving onto the next tooth.
- Once the floss becomes weak, switch to a new section of the string of floss.
- After flossing, brush your teeth to get the most out of your cleaning routine.
Sometimes gums will bleed after flossing. This is normal to occur if you’ve just began to start flossing. The bleeding should stop after a couple of days of regular flossing. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see your dentist. You can also ask your dentist for samples of floss if you are curious about trying out different types.
Happy flossing!
(Photos taken from http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care/flossing_brushing.asp)