Is There a Right Way to Floss?

Everyone is advised to floss at least once a day. But do you know how to floss your teeth correctly in order to obtain maximum benefits?

In this article, Dr. Seung Lee, DDS, at Del Mar Dental Family Care in Aurora, Colorado, talks about effective yet simple techniques to follow when flossing your teeth to keep dental problems at bay.

First of All, Why Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Dental floss is an often waxed and sometimes flavored piece of string that helps dislodge food particles and plaque from the difficult-to-reach areas of the oral cavity that your brush cannot easily reach. 

Daily flossing is a healthy habit to have to maintain oral health as continuous plaque buildup can cause caries and periodontal disease.

Make sure to gently floss at least once a day in the morning or night. Many people prefer to floss at night to prevent overnight plaque buildup.

What Is the Proper Technique for Flossing Your Teeth?

Below are the dos and don'ts of flossing:

• Take around 18 inches of floss string, wrap it around the middle finger of each hand, only leaving 2 to 3 inches for flossing.
• Using your thumb and index finger, gently slide the floss up and down, and in between your teeth.
• Be careful while flossing near the base of each tooth as it could harm the gum tissues and cause inflammation or bleeding.
• Don’t use the same section of thread as you shift from one tooth to the other.
• In order to remove the floss thread, never pull forcefully. Always slide back and forth gently to get the floss thread up and away from your teeth.

What Is the Best Floss for Your Dental Needs?

Multi-filament (Nylon) floss and Mono-filament (PTFE) floss are most commonly used for flossing. If the technique is right, both flosses work in an equally effective manner. 

Multi-filament floss can be both waxed and unwaxed and comes in a variety of flavors that provide fresh breath in addition to flossing benefits. Mono-filament floss, although more expensive, is shred-resistant and can easily slide between the teeth.

If you find conventional flossing tricky, you can also use floss picks or water flossers as they are equally effective.

For more information on the right method of flossing, call Del Mar Family Dental Care at (303) 577-0062 or visit us at 797 Peoria St. Unit A, Aurora, CO 80011.