Flossing is a crucial part of good oral hygiene, but are you flossing correctly? Many people struggle with the proper flossing technique. You may not know that there are different methods to suit your needs. If you struggle with traditional flossing, there are other ways to floss. Therefore, it is vital to find a method that works for you in order to remove plaque from your teeth. Otherwise, you can suffer from gum disease or tooth decay.
Traditional Flossing Technique
The traditional flossing technique is the most common and effective way to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and the gum line.
1: Start with about 18 inches of dental floss. Wrap most of it around your middle fingers, leaving a small section to work with.
2: Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers and gently insert it between two teeth.
3: Curve the floss into a C shape around one tooth and slide it up and down. Be sure to reach below the gum line. Repeat this motion on the adjacent tooth.
Also, make sure that you use a clean section of floss for each new space between teeth. This ensures you cover all areas.
Floss Picks
For those who find traditional flossing hard, floss picks can be a convenient option. Floss picks consist of a short strand of floss stretched between two plastic prongs. It also has a handle for easy gripping.
1: Hold the handle of the floss pick and guide the floss between your teeth.
2: Then, gently slide the floss up and down, curving it around the tooth and below the gumline.
3: After cleaning between two teeth, remove the used floss section by releasing it from the prongs. If you use disposable floss picks, you need to use a new one for each tooth. This is also to prevent the spread of bacteria between your teeth.
Water Flossers
Water flossers use a stream of water to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth and along the gumline. Although they may not be as effective as traditional flossing, they can still be valuable to your oral routine. In addition, these are good for those with braces or dental implants.
1: First, fill the water reservoir with mild water and attach the appropriate tip.
2: Next, place the tip near your gum line and turn on the device.
3: Then, aim the water stream between your teeth, moving along the gum line and around each tooth. Allow the water to flow out of your mouth into the sink. This also will make sure that water doesn’t get all over your bathroom.
There are also other methods to floss your teeth. It is important to choose a flossing technique that works best for you. Flossing also reduces your risk of developing gum disease or tooth decay. Consequently, plaque will remain stuck between your teeth and under your gum line. As a result, you may suffer from dental issues.