It’s all about the way you floss

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Flossing is one of the most important things to maintaining great oral hygiene. It is also one of the common areas that patients have little knowledge in. Do I really need to floss? Your toothbrush bristles are unable to remove plaque and debris between the teeth. Even the most diligent brusher cannot remove these particles. If these particles are left even for short amounts of time the process begins for tooth decay. Flossing done properly is one of your biggest defense mechanisms to protect your teeth from decay. Not only does flossing help reduce the risks of cavities it also plays a major role in gum disease prevention. At Carolina Dentistry @ The StateLine we believe strongly in preventive dentistry. How do you floss? Flossing should not be painful. Approximately 12-18 inches of dental floss should be used. Wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around your other middle finger. Hold the string tightly between your thumb and forefinger, and use a gentle rubbing motion to guide it between teeth. When the floss has reached the gum line, form a C to follow the shape of the tooth. Flossing should be gentle. Do not force the floss or push it far into the gums. Floss should stimulate the gums not cause harm. If your gums bleed the first few times you floss don’t stop flossing daily. Give it 2 weeks of once a day proper flossing. You should see an improvement in your gum tissue. Still not sure if you are properly flossing? Ask one of our registered dental hygienists at Carolina Dentistry @ The StateLine to demonstrate the proper flossing technique at your next routine hygiene appointment. Make time to floss, your teeth & gums will thank you for it.