Are you Flossing Correctly?
Dental flossing is an important step to keeping teeth and gums healthy. But did you know that an incorrect flossing technique could cause your mouth more harm than good?
As part of your oral hygiene routine, it is recommended to floss daily or use an interdental brush. It helps remove food and plaque trapped between your teeth, which can otherwise lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Monica Bulaclac, our dental hygienist, shares her top six tips for an effective dental flossing regime.
Six Dental Flossing Tips:
#1 Floss before brushing
It is preferable to floss before brushing so that any released particles can be removed from the mouth. If the tooth surfaces have first been cleaned by floss, it also allows the fluoride in toothpaste to better coat and protect those surfaces.
#2 Use enough floss
Using an inadequate length of floss will make it difficult to reach all teeth. Ideally, break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. To hold the floss correctly, wind most of it around your middle fingers, leaving 1 to 2 inches of floss for your teeth.
#3 Floss under the gumline
In order to effectively remove bacteria, floss must reach 2-3 millimetres below the gumline. Try gently sliding the floss up and down the tooth surface and under the gumline to loosen food particles that may hide in this area.
#4 Floss the whole tooth
Rather than just cleaning between the teeth, it is important to clean the entire tooth surface. This can be achieved by contouring the floss around the tooth in a C shape and gliding it up and down.
#5 Floss at the right time
Make sure to floss before bed and help remove any bacteria and food particles that may have collected on the teeth throughout the day. Saliva production decreases when we sleep, so we are less likely to wash away leftover food particles overnight.
#6 Keep flossing
Patients often stop flossing at the first sight of blood. However, bleeding can be a sign that your gums are unhealthy and that you should be flossing more or with a better technique. If bleeding persists, consult your dentist or dental hygienist for advice.
To book your next dental hygiene appointment at Northumberland Dental Care, contact us here
