Along with brushing twice a day, daily flossing is one of the pillars of oral hygiene and an important component to include in your daily oral care routine. However, without using the proper technique, your flossing is useless. When you do not floss correctly, you leave behind
plaque and bacteria, which later cause gum diseases like gingivitis.
To know the best ways and techniques to floss, you can speak with your dentist. If you already have gum diseases or other dental issues due to not flossing correctly, book your appointment with Lakeview, Chicago dental practice today. Meanwhile, here are a few tips to get the most out of flossing. Even if you are a diligent flosser, go through them to see how many you know.
Tips for flossing correctly
- Do not force it.
Flossing is not always as easy as it seems. Some people have teeth that naturally have small gaps, especially ones at the back of the mouth where the teeth are overcrowded. The front teeth may also give you trouble. Regardless of which teeth give you a hard time, do not force it. Popping the floss forcefully through the gaps can damage your gums and cause gum recession. When your gums are subject to pressure, your body pulls them back.
- Choose a quality floss.
People do not usually put much thought into choosing a floss or toothbrush. They simply go to the store and pick one from the shelves. However, considering a few important factors can help you determine the right floss for you, such as the gaps between your teeth, the dexterity of your hands, etc. Most importantly, choose one with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.
- Make sure to floss daily.
Flossing is no good if you do not floss daily. When you first start flossing, you may notice a bit of blood, which stops within a week. This is because your teeth and gums are experiencing a new thing. The more you floss, the healthier your gums become with time. To eliminate the bleeding, consistently floss at least once a day. Once you stop, you might start bleeding again when you begin.
- Leave no side unflossed.
There is no point in flossing if you are cleaning the front teeth but leaving out the molars at the back. The goal of using floss is to remove bacteria and plaque from places your toothbrush cannot reach. Floss between all the teeth. Make sure to move your floss up and down as well as sideways to clean the plaque properly.
