Your toothbrush can't reach in all the crevices between your teeth, which means plaque can build up there and cause gum disease and tooth decay. Recent studies have shown that flossing may help to prevent a heart attack or stroke - just one more reason to floss regularly!
Learn Flossing Techniques for Dental Health
Do you know the right way to floss? Start with about 18 inches of dental floss, and wind the ends around your middle fingers. Hold the floss tightly between your index fingers and thumbs, and slide it gently between your teeth in an up-and-down motion. Make sure you go beneath the gum line to reach the base of each tooth, but be gentle. If you are too rough, you could damage the gum tissue. Don't forget to floss your back teeth, even though there are no teeth next to them. To remove the dental floss, bring it gently up and out of the teeth.
You can use nylon or monofilament floss. Nylon floss is available in a variety of flavours, in both waxed and unwaxed. It shreds more easily than monofilament floss, which is more expensive, but slides more easily between the teeth. However, both types of floss are beneficial for removing plaque and food particles from your teeth.
What If I Find Flossing Difficult?
If you find it difficult to use dental floss, there are disposable dental flossers you can use. If you have braces, a floss threader can help you easily clean in between the main wire and your teeth.
Flossing is an important part of daily dental hygiene. Using dental floss regularly will help prevent gum disease and cavities, which will require fillings.