Flossing
Flossing Keeps Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
What Is Floss?
Floss comes in a variety of materials and colors, but essentially, it is a very thin cord you hold between the fingers of each hand and insert between adjoining teeth. The floss, helps loosen debris by gently moving it up and down between the teeth.
Flossing is a proven method for loosening debris from hard-to-reach surfaces of your teeth and gum lines. It is a highly effective method for removing plaque on tooth surfaces your toothbrush can't reach.
Another benefit of flossing is increasing blood circulation in your gums. Gum stimulation is a necessary means of keeping your gum tissues healthy; strong gums are the foundation for your teeth.
How Often To Floss
It is recommended that you floss once every day. Many people find that flossing at night is an easy bedtime routine plus it helps to protect your teeth during sleep, when harmful plaque can do a lot of damage.
Types of Floss
Dental floss comes in a variety of materials, colors, and even flavors. Waxed varieties are slipperier, allowing people with extremely tight spaces between their teeth to floss more easily. Dental tape is a flatter floss that allows more control for the user. Floss handles are good for children and patients with limited dexterity.
Flossing Techniques
The most effective way to floss is to tear off about a foot of floss. Wrap one end of the floss a few times around the middle finger of each hand. You can use your forefinger and thumbs to maneuver the floss inside your mouth.
Press the floss in between two teeth and gently glide the floss up and down a few times against the surfaces of both teeth, carefully working at and below the gum line. Repeat this procedure for each tooth, taking up the slack when floss becomes worn or frayed.
Don't be alarmed if your gums slightly bleed the first time you floss. This is normal and will cease when your gums become used to flossing.
Flossing Alternatives
There are several alternatives to flossing for those who find it too difficult, too painful or ineffective. Never use a toothpick as a substitute for flossing. Toothpicks can tear delicate gum tissue and may damage existing dental restorations.
One popular flossing alternative is a water pick. Water picks use powerful tiny bursts of water to blast away food particles and other debris in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. People with painful gum disease or highly sensitive gums may find water picks useful for supplementing their brushing regimen. And people with orthodontia, including braces, have found water picks quite useful because toothbrush bristles often get stuck.
We hope you find this web site useful and invite you to contact us with your questions at any time.
Call us at 208-377-2160
