06 Feb How to Floss Your Pearly Whites for Better Oral Health
Most people in this modern age understand that that brushing and flossing is the key to a healthy oral foundation. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day, every day. How does flossing help? Flossing removes bits of food particles and plaque that stick stubbornly to teeth unless removed. Although your toothbrush is good at cleaning debris from your pearly whites, it is not able to reach those in-between spaces between teeth, making them susceptible to tooth decay.
The key to proper flossing is being thorough. You can floss before or after brushing, before bed or any other time of day which works best for you. Just make sure you spend enough time to be thorough, and this means setting aside enough time to clean.
When choosing a floss that works best for you, look for the ADA Seal of approval. This means it is safe and effective. Nylon multifilament floss comes waxed or unwaxed and sometimes shreds while using. Single filament (monofilament) floss does not tear and is slightly more expensive. Both do the job perfectly.
Once you have decided on your floss, it is time to perfect your technique. First, pull approximately 18 inches of the floss from the dispenser. You will want to wrap it around each of your middle fingers, with about an inch or so of floss that you will be using at a time to clean.
Next, keep the floss taut between your thumbs and your index fingers. Gently slide it between your teeth in an up and down movement. Then, make a U shape around the bottom of each tooth, hitting below the gum line as well. Move gently so that you don’t harm the gum tissue, moving back and forth and up and down against the side of each tooth. Finally, be sure to use clean sections of the floss string when you move on from each tooth.
Take the time to floss daily, and take the time to be thorough. Your teeth and gums will thank you with a healthy mouth. Please call Dr. Desiree Palmer’s team today at 919-471-9106 if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.
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