Regular flossing plays an important role in maintaining good oral health and can prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It’s important that when we floss, we’re doing it correctly in order to properly clean our teeth, even the hard-to-reach places. Keep reading to find out how important flossing is, and some top tips on how best to do it.
How Important is it to floss your teeth?
Standard floss is a thin, soft thread and helps to remove food particles and plaque between the teeth and along the gum line, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing once a day can decrease the likelihood of cavities and gum disease, and should be included as part of your daily oral hygiene routine alongside brushing.
When you first begin flossing, your gums might be tender and bleed. Continue flossing as advised by your dentist, and the bleeding should subside as the gums become healthier. However, if you are still experiencing bleeding after a few days, you should speak to your dentist, and they can make sure you’re flossing correctly.
Tips on How to Floss Your Teeth
Step One
Break off around 45 cm of floss, and wind it around one finger on each hand.
Step Two
Hold the floss tightly (leaving no slack) between your thumbs and forefingers, with around 2-3 cm of floss between them.
Step Three
Place the dental floss in between two teeth and gently slide it up and down, so it rubs against both sides of each tooth. Don’t be too aggressive with the floss, as you can risk harming your gums.
Step Four
When the floss reaches your gum line, curve it to form a C-shape against a tooth until you feel resistance. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and tooth.
Step Five
Repeat the steps as you move between the teeth, and make sure you don’t forget the back of your last tooth. It’s a good idea to keep a regular pattern, so you’re less likely to miss any teeth.
Flossing Back Teeth
Back teeth are much harder to reach and keep clean than front teeth. Back teeth have grooves and ridges to help us chew food, but these grooves and ridges also collect food particles, which can increase the bacteria in plaque and the risk of cavities. This is why it’s important to make sure you floss all the way to the back teeth, as well as using your toothbrush to clean them.
Benefits of Flossing
Flossing is beneficial for many reasons, including:
- Reducing the risk of cavities
- Removing bad-breath-causing issues more effectively than just brushing alone
- Removing plaque from below the gum line, which can erode tooth enamel
- Helping to prevent gingivitis
- Reducing the likelihood of sore or red gums
Types of Floss
There are many different types of floss available, and your dentist can recommend which one may be best for you. The types of floss include:
Standard Floss
Regular floss is a thin, long piece of nylon that fits between teeth. You can purchase standard floss as flavoured or unflavoured, and waxed or unwaxed.
Dental Tape
Dental tape is broader and flatter than dental floss. Dental tape is easier to handle if you have braces or large spaces in between your teeth.
Super Floss
Super floss can be used to clean dental bridges and braces. It has a stiffened end for flossing underneath appliances, spongy floss to clean around appliances, and regular floss to get rid of plaque that’s under the gum line.
When Should You Floss?
It’s generally recommended to floss once a day, before brushing your teeth. Floss helps to lift food and plaque stuck between the teeth while brushing then removes these particles from your mouth. The issue with brushing first and flossing afterwards is that food and plaque remain in your mouth until the next time you brush.
Flossing Advice at Aurora Dental
We’ve discussed how to floss your teeth, and why it’s important, so why not have a go yourself? If you need more advice or guidance on how best to do it, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts are here to answer any questions you might have and address any concerns. We know visiting the dentist can be a stressful experience for some people, so we aim to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere for all our patients.
More Treatments at Aurora Dental
Alongside our general examination appointments, we also offer cosmetic services to help you achieve your perfect smile. Including veneers, smile makeovers, and teeth whitening. Book your appointment today. We have clinics across Wiltshire, with locations in Chippenham, Corsham, Swindon and Devizes.