A Step-by-Step Guide for Proper Flossing

The benefits of flossing include superior plaque removal, healthier gums, and a lower chance of cavities. Perhaps you intend to add this good habit to your oral care routine, but you’re not sure how to floss. Follow this step-by-step guide for the best results.

How to Floss Your Teeth

• Break off 18 inches of floss from the spool and wrap the ends around your middle fingers.
• Grasp the floss with your thumb and forefinger to secure it better and prevent squeezing your middle fingers.
• Guide the floss between two teeth at a time, being careful not to snap it against your gums, as this could cause trauma to the soft tissue.
• Glide the floss up and down, arching it into a c-shape so it rubs against one tooth and then the other. Extend the floss down below the gum line to remove plaque buildup here as well.
• Gently remove the floss from between your teeth.
• Repeat this process throughout your entire mouth. Be sure to floss behind your back molars as well.
• Every few teeth, wipe the collected debris onto a facial tissue and shift to a clean section of floss.
• Dispose of the used piece of floss in a trash can, not the toilet.

If your gums bleed when you floss, this could be a sign of gum disease. Flossing strengthens your gums, so keep up the habit, and the bleeding should subside after about two weeks.

Flossing with Braces

Because food and plaque are more likely to become trapped under bands and wires, flossing when you have braces is very important. Special stiff floss makes it easier to thread under your braces so you can pass it between your teeth. You may also opt for a flossing alternative to complete the task more quickly.

Alternatives to Traditional Floss

If you dread flossing because you have braces, or you simply don’t feel coordinated enough to do it properly, try an alternative to traditional dental floss. Here are your options:

• Dental floss picks are the closest equivalent to regular floss. They consist of a bit of floss stretched between a u-shaped piece of plastic. A small handle lets you comfortably hold the floss pick without having to wrap floss around your fingers.
• Interdental picks feature short rubber tines attached to a small handle. The increased size of the flossing material makes it easier to clean more thoroughly between larger gaps or areas with receding gums.
• A water flosser is a mechanical device that sprays a fine jet of water between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque quickly and easily. It’s a great choice for people who hate the feeling of floss scraping against their teeth.

Talk to your dentist about which flossing product may be best for you.

Ready to discuss your oral care routine? Have a concern about flossing every day? Please contact Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 for advice from a leading NYC dentist.