How to Floss Correctly

You've heard and read a lot of times that you need to floss to have a good dental hygiene. That is true, but what you don't hear often enough is how to floss correctly. Proper flossing can help you to remove plaque and food particles that can lead to several problems. If you don't floss the right way, plaque buildup can cause tooth decay and gum disease, so you need to start flossing correctly right away. Here we share with you what you need to know about how to floss.

Why Flossing Is so Important  

Unlike a toothbrush, which cleans the tops and outer areas of your teeth and gums, floss can clean tight spaces between teeth. This is really important because a lot of people think that just by brushing they have a good oral hygiene. The reality is that if you don't floss, plaque between teeth can eventually harden into tartar, leading to gum disease. Just by flossing once a day, you can avoid a ton of dental procedures and keep your smile shining. 

The Right Way to Floss 

To floss correctly, there are basic facts you need to know. Here you have the information you need about floss and how to use it.

There's No "Too Much Dental Floss" 

To properly floss your teeth, you need to take about 18 inches of dental floss. That may sound like a lot, but it is necessary to keep a clean segment in place as you move from tooth to tooth. Once you've taken the dental floss, wrap most of it around the middle or index finger of one hand, and a small amount on the other hand. This will help you to slide the clean part of the floss from tooth to tooth.

Be Gentle with Your Teeth  

Gently slide the dental floss up-and-down between your teeth. Then, gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth forming a "C". Clean beneath the gum line very carefully. Remember to never force the floss as this may damage delicate gum tissue. While you make this, don't forget to unroll a fresh section of dental floss for every tooth.

Remove the Floss Carefully  

To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth movement you used to put the floss between your teeth. You need to take care of not letting the floss snap or "pop" between your teeth. If you remove the floss aggressively, you could cause a damage to the base of your tooth and weaken it. Once you've removed the floss, rinse your mouth out with water to remove any particles that were left in your mouth.

A Few Extra Tips

• Flossing at bedtime is the best time. That's because when you sleep, the flow of saliva decreases, making your mouth more vulnerable to bacteria.
• There's no difference between flossing before or after you brush. Besides most people suggest that you should floss first, it doesn't really make any difference.
• You should floss for about two minutes. That sounds like a lot of time, but it's necessary to properly clean all the areas of your teeth and gums.

Now that you have all this information, we hope that you start flossing the right way immediately. Flossing once a day can help you to prevent a lot of sufferings and avoid dental procedures, so why wouldn't you? Remember that your smile says a lot about you, so let it say great things.

Finally, we invite you to visit one of our dental clinics. Sani Dental Group is the largest dental group in Los Algodones, and one of the largest in Mexico. We have more than 30 doctors in 3 different locations to attend all your dental needs. When you're looking for high-quality dental treatments at an affordable price, Sani Dental Group is your best option. Give us a call and one of our patient coordinators will give you all the information you need. If you want special offers on dental treatments, you can also subscribe to our newsletter. The smile you deserve is one call away, so don't hesitate. Smile, we'll do the rest.