Brushing your teeth twice a day is an important part of maintaining a healthy smile, but your toothbrush can't clean every surface of your teeth. That's where flossing comes in.
Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gumline, where a toothbrush may not reach effectively. When plaque remains in these areas, it can contribute to tooth decay and gum inflammation.
At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we encourage patients of all ages to make daily cleaning between the teeth part of their oral hygiene routine. But are you actually flossing correctly? A few small changes in technique can make a big difference.
How to Floss Correctly
Traditional dental floss is highly effective when used properly. Here's a simple step-by-step approach:
1. Use enough floss
Start with approximately 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the remainder around the middle finger of the other hand. This allows you to use a clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
2. Guide the floss gently between your teeth
Hold the floss securely between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently guide it between two teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
Don't snap or force the floss into the gums. If the contacts between your teeth are tight, work the floss through carefully and gently.
3. Curve the floss around the tooth
Once the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C shape around one tooth. Gently slide it up and down against the side of the tooth, extending slightly below the gumline.
Then repeat the process around the neighboring tooth.
This is an important step because simply moving floss straight up and down between the teeth doesn't clean as effectively as wrapping it around each tooth.
4. Use a clean section for each space
Move to a fresh section of floss as you progress through your mouth. This helps avoid simply transferring plaque and debris from one area to another.
5. Don't forget the back teeth
It's easy to focus on the teeth you can see when you smile, but the molars need attention, too. Make sure you're cleaning between your back teeth and around the gumline.
How Often Should You Floss?
For most people, cleaning between the teeth once a day is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene.
The most important thing is consistency. Choose a time of day when you're most likely to make it part of your routine. Many people prefer to floss before brushing at night so that loosened plaque and debris can be brushed away afterward.
What If Your Gums Bleed When You Floss?
If your gums bleed when you first begin flossing regularly, don't automatically assume that you should stop. Bleeding can be a sign of gum inflammation caused by plaque buildup.
However, persistent or significant bleeding shouldn't be ignored. If your gums continue to bleed despite consistent, gentle cleaning between your teeth, let your dentist or dental hygienist know. It may be a sign that you need additional evaluation or periodontal care.
Also pay attention to other symptoms, including:
- Red or swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that bleed frequently
- Gum recession
- Loose or shifting teeth
These can be signs of gum disease and should be evaluated by a dental professional.
What If Traditional Floss Is Difficult to Use?
Not everyone finds traditional floss easy to maneuver. That's okay. Depending on your needs, other options may include floss picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers.
People with braces, dental bridges, implants, larger spaces between teeth, or other dental work may benefit from specific interdental cleaning tools.
The important thing is to find an effective method that you can use consistently. Your dental team can demonstrate the best technique and recommend products based on your individual needs.
What About Children?
Children should begin learning to clean between their teeth when they have teeth that touch one another. Younger children generally need help from a parent or caregiver because developing the coordination needed to floss effectively can take time.
As your child gets older and their dexterity improves, encourage them to take more responsibility for their own oral hygiene while continuing to supervise as needed.
At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we provide family and pediatric dentistry to help patients develop healthy habits from an early age.
A Few Minutes a Day Can Protect Your Smile
Flossing isn't about making your oral hygiene routine complicated. It's about cleaning the surfaces of your teeth that brushing alone can't reach.
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and maintain regular dental visits so your dental team can monitor your teeth and gums.
If you're not sure whether you're flossing correctly, or you're experiencing bleeding, discomfort, or other changes in your gums, ask the team at Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry in Litchfield Park, AZ. We're happy to help you find an interdental cleaning routine that works for your smile and your family.
