How to Floss Your Teeth Properly

Nearly half the surface area of your teeth lies between them. So, if you’re relying solely on brushing you’re not effectively cleaning a large portion of your teeth. Flossing should be an essential part of your oral care routine and not an optional extra. 

Not only should you make flossing a part of your daily oral care routine, you should also aim to do it properly. Your regular dentist will be able to instruct you on correct flossing technique, but here are a few basic tips you should follow.

1) Choose the right floss for you

Here are some points that might be helpful for choosing the right floss for you:

• Large gaps between your teeth? Try dental tape or Super Floss (Pre-cut), consult with your dentist tp find the right fit for you.

• Not much space between your teeth? You may find that a waxed floss is easier to slide into those tight spaces.

• Braces or bridges? Try using a floss threader.

2) Wind an appropriate length of floss around your finger

Take about 45 cm of dental floss and wrap most of it around your left middle finger. Wind the remaining floss around your right middle finger.

3) Slide the floss up and down between your teeth

Grip the floss between your thumbs and index fingers and gently slide it though the contact point of the teeth. Curve the floss into a C shape around the base of each tooth. Slide the floss up and down along the side of each tooth, making sure to go beneath the gumline. This helps remove plaque and debris that your toothbrush may not reach.

4) Gentle remove the floss and repeat for all contact points between your teeth

As you move from one tooth to the next, unwind a fresh section of floss from your fingers. This ensures that you're using a clean part of the floss for each tooth. Gently remove the floss from the teeth. Wind a little bit of the floss from your left finger to your right finger to move along the dirty part and to give you a fresh area of floss to clean the next two teeth with. Repeat this wherever two teeth are touching.

Still not sure if you’re doing it right? Our friendly team of dental professionals can also demonstrate correct flossing and interdental techniques. Book an appointment for a check-up and clean at Family Focus Dental Wentworthville today and have all of your oral health questions answered.

(Sources: ADA Flossing- Why it’s essential for your oral health, Oral B- Types of floss choosing the right floss for you)