The Right And Wrong Ways To Floss
by Harold Coleman
Most people are well aware of how important it is to both brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis. However, it's just as important to do those things correctly every single day. A common problem that people have is flossing incorrectly, since moving some floss between your teeth is simply not enough. Here is what you need to know about the right and wrong ways to floss your teeth.
The Right Way To Floss
When using traditional dental floss, you want to wrap the floss around your middle fingers. This will allow you to make the floss very tight between your fingers, and then grip onto it with your thumb and index finger. You want to move the floss up and down so that it actually hugs the side of your teeth. This means that to properly floss your teeth, you need to move the floss against each tooth so that the floss gently scrapes the surface.
You actually want the dental floss to go down deep enough where it disappears in the pockets of the gums. This means that the floss is getting deep enough to remove that plaque that can lead to gum disease. You won't be able to see any plaque in this area at first, but the floss will certainly pull some out.
The Wrong Way To Floss
The common mistake that people make when flossing is popping that dental floss forcefully between their teeth until it goes straight down into the gums. This will not only miss all of the plaque that is on the teeth but will also hurt your gums in the process. That forceful motion is also what causes you to miss the inside surfaces of your teeth. This method works fine for removing food that is stuck between your teeth but doesn't actually get any plaque away from those hidden tooth surfaces.
Another mistake that people make is using a sawing motion where the floss moves back and forth. Once again, this motion doesn't actually remove any plaque from the teeth since enough pressure is not being put on the side of the tooth to get the job done.
Want to make sure you're flossing correctly? Don't be afraid to demonstrate your technique to a family dentist next time you have an appointment for a cleaning and inspection. They'll let you know how you can improve your technique and ensure that you have a healthy mouth.
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About Me
I have never liked my teeth. I had a lot of dental problems, including deep staining and oddly shaped teeth. Every tooth did not have the same shape, and some were rounded while others were more square. Not surprisingly, I never smiled in pictures and not even much in real life. This left people thinking I was mean before they even met me. My dentist told me my best bet to improve the look of my smile was a set of porcelain dental veneers. He said they could make all my teeth white and the same shape. I said I wanted them without any hesitation, and we scheduled my procedures. I love my new teeth, and they really did change my life. I created this blog to help other people living with teeth they don't like realize that they do have options that can improve their smiles and their lives.