When it comes to brightening up your smile, simply brushing your teeth is not enough. Flossing removes all the food particles stuck between your teeth. It prevents gum disease, tooth decay, and promotes your overall dental health. However, flossing is often underestimated and forgotten. As a result, many people are not familiar with how flossing should be done. To guide you on the way to better dental care, here are some tips on how to floss your teeth.
Use Waxed Floss
There are two types of dental floss you can purchase: waxed and unwaxed. Both can do the job well, but it can be confusing for beginners to choose. For a more comfortable and better flossing experience, use waxed floss. It fits through the tight spaces between your teeth better. It also is less likely to shred between tight teeth gaps.
Floss Your Teeth Every Day
The best recommendation is to floss your teeth after every meal. However, this suggestion is understandably difficult for busy people who are always on the go. Therefore, you should floss at least once a day. You can include it in your nighttime routine before going to bed. The activity itself only takes a few quick minutes.
Learn How to Floss Properly
If you are new at flossing, here is a step-by-step guide you can follow.
- Get 18 inches or more of floss. Loosely wrap the ends around your middle fingers. Do not wrap it too tightly, and leave a good sized space between your fingers. This way, you can control the floss easily.
- Hold the remaining section of the floss firmly between your thumbs and forefingers.
- Move the floss between your teeth in an up and down motion. Repeat this step several times to ensure all food debris is cleaned out.
- Slide the floss in between your teeth with a careful rubbing motion. Make sure to stop at the gum line instead of snapping it onto your gums – this can lead to excessive bleeding and irritation.
- Switch to another section of the floss when you are moving on to another tooth. This step is where the length of your floss matters. Having at least 18 inches of floss makes sure you can use a new section of it for every tooth.
- Do not forget your back teeth. Tooth decay and gum complications usually occur to those teeth since this area is difficult to reach when brushing.
- After flossing the top and bottom parts of your teeth, rinse out your mouth with water or mouthwash.
Dental Care in St. Paul, Minnesota
Brushing your teeth is just not enough when it comes to cleaning your teeth properly. Make sure to incorporate flossing in your dental care routine and do it the right way. Get into the habit of flossing today for a better smile tomorrow.
If you are in search of a supportive and experienced dentist for your dental care needs, contact Hagerman Dental Care today. We can provide you with complete and comprehensive dental care.
To consult with Dr. Hagerman, call us at (651) 646-2392 or book an appointment online.