Flossing is a very important part of any strong oral health routine. Unfortunately, many dental patients fail to take flossing as seriously as they take daily brushing. Our Saint Louis dentists are here to help you jump-start your flossing routine, and reap the benefits of this simple but effective oral hygiene step. Keep reading to learn more about how you can floss for maximum effectiveness.
Let’s start by talking about choosing a floss. When you check out your options, you’ll notice that there are many different types of floss available on the market today. When making your decision, simply make sure to choose a type of floss that fits comfortably between your teeth, and that has a flavor that is appealing to you.
Now we’ll take a second to speak about flossing technique. The first thing to do is to tear off a large strip of floss, which you will use for this flossing session only. Wrap the floss around your fingers so that a small portion of it is taut. Move the floss from tooth to tooth, unwinding and winding the floss as you go, so you are using a new portion of the long piece.
As you floss between your teeth, move the floss all the way up and down the length of the tooth—making sure to direct the floss gently into the gum tissue. As you clean between your teeth, also move the floss gently back and forth to disturb as much plaque as possible.
It is very common for people to notice that their gum tissues bleed a little after they start flossing again—this is normal. This should subside over time, as you keep up with your flossing, but let your dentist know if your gum tissue is still bleeding after a long period of time.
Feel free to call our Saint Louis dentists if you need more tips on flossing, or if it’s time to come in for a consultation or cleaning!