Flossing may be a difficult habit to develop, but it’s one that our Issaquah dentist strongly advises. Good flossing is in many ways more important even than brushing in terms of maintaining a clean mouth, as much of the surface of your teeth is out of the reach of your brush.
Flossing Tips
If you need a refresher course on how to floss, try following these simple steps:
- First, pick a floss that works for you. Some people have narrower gaps between their teeth, for example, and need a narrower floss.
- Floss at least once a day, preferably before your final brushing before going to sleep.
- Use a length of floss about as long as your forearm (or around eighteen inches). You should then wind either end around your index fingers such that you’re holding about two inches between your hands. Unwind from one finger and wind up on the other as you go, giving yourself a clean piece of floss for every tooth.
- Begin flossing, gently maneuvering the string into the space between your teeth and between your back teeth and gums. Make sure that you get both edges of all teeth, pulling the floss into a “V” shape against either surface as you go.
- Take care with your gums! If you routinely draw blood, it might be because you’re sawing at your delicate tissues.
