How to Be the Boss of Your Floss

Brushing and flossing your teeth are the foundation of good oral health (along with regular visits to your dentist). But for many people, it’s the flossing part of that foundation that leaves them a bit puzzled. Is there a proper way to floss? What’s the most effective approach? Do I really need to floss if I’m brushing twice a day?

To help you become the boss of your floss, we have a set of helpful tips in this week’s blog.

Tip 1 – Floss daily

According to the American Dental Association (and every dentist you ask), you should be flossing daily. That’s because flossing will remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t get rid of from between your teeth and at your gum line. Plaque is the first step on the road to a cavity since it hardens into tartar.

Tip 2 – Anytime is floss time

Patients often ask us when they should floss. After they brush? Before they brush? After a meal? Before bed? We recommend you choose a time once a day when you aren’t too tired and have a couple of minutes and then get in the habit of flossing then.

Tip 3 – What type of floss is best?

There are two main types of floss to choose from – nylon (also called multifilament because it is made of multiple strands) and PTFE floss (monofilament, which is single strand). Nylon floss can tear of shred if you have tight spaces between your teeth. You generally won’t run into the same problem with PTFE floss, but it is more expensive. Talk to your dental hygienist or your dentist for recommendations that would work best for your teeth.

Tip 4 – Proper flossing technique

Here are five simple steps to help you flawlessly floss:

  1. Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with;
  2. Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth;
  3. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue;
  4. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth; and
  5. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

Be sure that you don’t floss too hard and damage your gums. If it hurts, go easier. If you haven’t flossed regularly, it will probably take a couple of weeks for the slight discomfort to go away. If you have recurring pain, be sure to see your dentist.

Tip 5 – What about using a flosser?

For a fair number of people, using a flosser is easier and more convenient. If you haven’t used one before, here’s a quick guide to success! Hold the flosser handle firmly and point the flossing tip at an angle facing the area you want to floss first (either top teeth or bottom teeth). Guide the floss gently between two teeth and be sure to avoid snapping or popping the floss. Use the same zigzag motion that you would us with standard floss. Bend the floss around each tooth and slide it under the gum line and along each tooth surface.

Sources: MouthHealthy.org, Oral B, Colgate, American Dental Associatio

More Posts

Carbonated Soft Drinks Erode Tooth Enamel

It’s called “pop” in the Midwest and most of Canada. It’s “soda” in the Northeast. And it goes by a well-known brand name in much of the South. But however they say it, they’re talking about something that can cause serious oral health problems – carbonated soft drinks. Soft drinks have

The Top 10 Foods for Your Teeth

Eating the Right Foods Can Build a Good Foundation Did you know that eating the right foods can do as much good for you as regular brushing and flossing? Did you realize that some food and drink will not only help keep your teeth in shape, but also feed them,

8 Facts About Fluoride You Should Know

What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral compound found in water and soil. It is also present in foods and beverages at varying concentrations. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque

Should Your Child Floss Their Teeth? personal care dentistry dentist inRoseville MN

Tips to Help Your Child Floss Effectively

Every Child’s Smile is Unique – Find the Right Floss for Them Brushing teeth alone only cleans the visible areas and misses out on the spaces between teeth and leaves your child vulnerable to acid buildup and tooth decay. But don’t worry! We want to help you find the right

Schedule an Appointment

Fill out the form below and will be in touch with you soon!

*All fields are required for a successful submission.