Is there a right or wrong way to floss your teeth? Yes! When it comes to having a healthy mouth, there are things you should—and shouldn’t—do when you want to keep your smile healthy.
It’s important to physically remove dental plaque every day before it calcifies into tartar (calculus). Daily flossing is a must if you want to have healthy teeth and gums.
Keep the floss taut against the tooth, so that you can clean the curved surfaces as you rub the floss up and down.
Allow the floss to slip under the edges of your gums, keeping it wrapped in a “U” shape against the tooth.
Sometimes tartar buildup, leaky fillings, or cavities between teeth can cause floss to shred, break, or get stuck. Make sure your dentist knows about it.
Fixed bridges, All-on-4 implants, or limited dexterity may make flossing impossible in some areas. Talk to your dentist about using a water flosser, floss threader, or proxy brush.
Bleeding gums are a sign of active gingivitis or periodontal disease. By flossing, you remove the bacteria responsible for the infection. It can take two weeks of daily flossing before bleeding improves.
No matter how well you brush and floss, there will always be areas of buildup that you miss. Be sure to see a dentist at least twice a year for checkups.
If you struggle with flossing, talk to your dental team about alternatives or modified techniques to make your home care plan more effective!