The Value of Flossing

At-home oral hygiene makes up a critical part of preventivedentistry. Without a consistent and comprehensive hygiene routine, patients put themselves at risk of developing extensive dental issues which can compromise the overall function, aesthetics, and health of their smile. In particular, failure to floss correctly and consistently can leave smiles vulnerable to periodontal disease as well as cavities and more severe tooth decay.

If you are unsure of how to floss correctly, check out the following techniques for a fail-safe flossing routine:

Choose the Right Floss

With so many types of floss available, selecting the right kind can be a challenge. For patients with tight spaces between their teeth, a waxed floss ensure proper plaque removal without shedding between teeth. For individuals or children that have a hard time reaching maneuvering within their mouths, floss picks or themed flossers can ensure that your smile is properly cleaned without having to struggle to get between all the teeth.

Use Enough Floss

Ideally, you should be using about 18 inches of floss in order to properly clean every space. With too much, you may find yourself wasting floss. With too short of a string, you may find it difficult to hold the floss and get between every space, or you might reusing floss on teeth and therefore reintroducing plaque and debris back into your smile.

Wrap it Right

To hold the floss correctly, wind most of the string around one middle finger. The remaining floss should be wrapped around the corresponding finger on the other hand. To maneuver the floss, hold it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. As the string gets dirty, gradually wrap it around the secondary middle finger, moving used floss out of the mouth.

Guide the Floss

Forcing the string between teeth is not only ineffective for removing plaque, but it can also damage the gums. Rather, guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Once you reach the gum line, curve the string into a C shape against the tooth, maneuvering the floss between the gum and tooth. Avoid yanking out the floss once you’re done with a tooth as well, as this can also damage the soft tissue.

Repeat

Flossing is only effective if you floss every tooth every day. That includes not only the teeth at the front of the smile but also the molars at the back and the space behind the final molar. As plaque can harden into tartar in a matter of days, daily flossing is critical to preventing gingivitis and cavities from progressing into more serious conditions.

At Thomsen Dental Group, Dr. Brett Thomsen and Dr. Allen Thomsen are dedicated to helping patients of all ages achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Through our dedication to improving patient knowledge, we work closely with all new patients to ensure that they understand the importance of effective daily hygiene, including flossing, as well as the techniques needed to keep their smile healthy. For more information about effective preventive care in Omaha, contact our dentists today.