If you aren’t quite sure where to start when it comes to flossing then it’s time you crafted your technique.
Flossing. It might not be the most fun part of your day, but it’s a habit everyone has to adopt if they want to keep teeth and gums healthy and free from decay and gum disease. Brushing alone just isn’t enough. Of course, our Cohasset, MA, dentists, Dr. Kevin Thomas and Dr. Aaron Chenette, often notice that so many people don’t know how to properly floss. Here are some of the techniques you should be using to ensure that you are flossing correctly:
Step 1: You’ll want to start with a generous amount of floss. We’re talking about anywhere from 18 to 24 inches. Why so much? You want to use a clean section of floss for each tooth so you don’t displace the plaque you removed onto another surface of your teeth or gums. You’ll want to leave about 1-2 inches of clean floss per tooth.
Step 2: Wind the floss around your middle fingers (sometimes people prefer to use their pointer fingers. Whatever is most comfortable for you and helps you maneuver the floss better). Pull it taut.
Step 3: While holding the floss between your index and thumb, slowly move the floss in between the first tooth. Make sure to hug the side of the tooth with the floss, moving it in an up-and-down motion. Also, make sure to go all the way to the gumline. Once you have flossed both sides of each tooth, slowly remove the floss. Be gentle when removing floss, as pulling or forcing the floss out could cut the gums.
Step 4: Start with a new, clean section of floss and follow Step 3 until you have cleaned in between each tooth.
There are many kinds of floss out there from which to choose. It’s completely up to you which kind is easier to use and makes flossing a bit simpler. If you haven’t flossed in a while, then you may notice that your gums may bleed the first couple of times. This is typically normal and will go away the more you floss. If you still notice bleeding gums after flossing every day for a week it’s time to call our Cohasset general dentist.
Do you have questions about flossing? Need to schedule your six-month dental cleaning in Cohasset, MA? No problem! Here at Cohasset Dental, we are dedicated to making sure you get the preventive dental care you need to protect yourself from decay and other issues down the road.