Sciota, Pennsylvania
Dentists recommend flossing your teeth daily, preferably after your last meal or before bed, to remove tiny food bits, bacteria, and any lingering plaque from between your teeth so that it doesn’t sit there in your mouth all night, potentially causing harm. A lot of people are aware that they should floss but don’t. Either they think it takes too much time or that it simply isn’t necessary. But the truth of it is that flossing is the equivalent of brushing between your teeth because your toothbrush cannot reach those tight areas. We encourage you to floss daily, but you’re only doing your mouth good if you floss correctly. So today on the blog, we share the only flossing guide you will ever need.
What type of floss do I choose?
First, choose the best floss that works well for your teeth. String floss is always best, although floss picks come in handy when on the go or if you have dexterity issues that make it challenging to reach in the back of your mouth with string floss. There are different types of string floss, from traditional thread floss to waxed or unwaxed floss and even floss tape, which is flat floss. If you are unsure which type of floss you should get, ask the dentist for a sample. Most people prefer either waxed floss or floss tape because it glides between their teeth smoothly.
Additionally, if you wear braces or have a dental bridge or permanent retainer (wire behind your front teeth), you may need to purchase super floss or floss threaders to get between these areas easily.
How to floss correctly
Now that you’ve selected the type of floss that you will use let’s discuss the logistics of flossing. Unravel about 12-18″ of floss. You’re going to use your thumbs and the first fingers on each hand to get this job done. Wrap one end of the floss around one finger, and about several inches from that, wrap some of the floss around the finger on your other hand. The area of floss between each finger is what you will glide between your teeth. You’ll use your thumbs to gently slide the floss between your teeth.
Begin flossing in the very back on one side of your mouth. Gently move the floss down between your teeth, and use an up and down motion to essentially “scrape” the side of each tooth, using a “u” shape as you slide the floss along your gum on one side and then the other, and then up and down on the side of the adjacent tooth. Avoid popping the floss between your teeth, as you could injure your gums. Also, avoid using a sawing or back-and-forth motion, as this is ineffective. As you move along, slowly reposition the floss to a clean area around your fingers so that you do not transfer food bits and bacteria into other areas of your teeth. Discard the floss once you are done.
You may want to rinse your mouth out after flossing if you have dislodged particles that are still in your mouth. Otherwise, mouthwash can be used if you prefer.
Will a water flosser work just as well as string floss?
A water flosser is better than nothing, but it isn’t strong enough to mechanically remove plaque. Some patients find using a water flosser useful pre-flossing, but you should still use string floss if possible. It is the act of scraping alongside each tooth that is most effective and achievable by using string floss. In contrast, a water flosser may only dislodge food bits and particles. However, water flossers may be helpful for seniors or those with dexterity issues that make using regular floss too difficult.
Dentist in Sciota, Pennsylvania
Flossing daily can help decrease your risk of developing cavities between your teeth, as well as gum disease, which could lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Therefore, one of the simplest ways to protect your smile is by practicing daily oral hygiene, which includes flossing. If you’d like a personal flossing demo or have questions about maintaining your oral health, contact Quiet Valley Dental today by calling (570) 992-7040 to schedule a consultation.
