THE CORRECT WAY TO FLOSS YOUR TEETH
A lot of our patients ask this question: what the right way to floss the teeth? Flossing, if done right, removes plaque and food particles lodged between the teeth and under the gum line where toothbrush can’t easily reach. If not removed, these particles contribute to plaque build-up, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. At Larwin Square Dentistry in Tustin, we strongly recommend proper flossing as part of healthy dental habit.
FLOSSING TECHNIQUES
⦁ Pull about 18 inches of floss, wind the floss around the middle finger on each hand and leave about an inch or two of floss in the middle
⦁ Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers and slide it gently between the teeth and pull up-and-down or back and forth between your teeth
⦁ Curve the floss around the base of each tooth to reach beneath the gum line. Do this gently to avoid cutting or bruising the gum tissue
⦁ Adjust the floss and use the clean section as you work on each tooth
WHAT TYPE OF FLOSS SHOULD I USE?
Choosing a floss can be daunting because of the big number of varieties available. Below are some information we have gathered to help you choose the the right floss for you: If you’re confused about which one works best or is right for your teeth,
⦁ There are two types of floss materials, nylon (or multifilament) floss and PTFE (monofilament) floss
⦁ Floss picks is convenient for those who don’t want to bother wrapping floss around their fingers
⦁ Unwaxed floss is ideal for teeth that don’t have tight space between each tooth
⦁ Waxed floss is best for those with tight spaces between teeth because it glides easily
⦁ Tape type of floss is good for those with wider spaces between their teeth
⦁ For those with varying spaces between their teeth, ultra floss is the right choice because it’s thick enough for the wider gaps and can be stretched thin to fit tighter space
There really is no right or wrong floss because they are made to help remove plaque and for particles. The more important thing is to doing it and making it part of your healthy dental routine. hen used properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.