If you want to have optimal oral health, flossing every day is part of that equation. Along with brushing twice per day, using mouthwash, and visiting the dentist twice per year, flossing every day is one of the most significant steps you can take to have healthier teeth and gums.
Unfortunately, many people find flossing to be inconvenient so they don’t do it as often as they should. Flossing is also highly dependent on your technique, so if you’re not doing it properly, it won’t be as effective. Today, the team at American Dental would like to cover proper flossing techniques, and give you some tips to make flossing easier. After a few weeks of flossing every day, it will become part of your routine and you will wonder how you ever lived without it!
Proper Flossing Technique
When using traditional dental floss, we recommend the waxed variety, as it is less prone to breakage. Take a piece about 18-24 inches and wind it around your two index fingers, leaving a 1-2 inch section in between. Make this section into a “C” shape and guide it between each tooth individually. Working in an up-and-down motion, glide it along the surface of each tooth and don’t forget to go below the gumline as well. This may cause bleeding at first, but as your gums become healthier, the bleeding will subside. As you move from one tooth to the next, unwind a bit of the floss from one index finger to another, so you are using a clean section of floss for each tooth gap.
Making Flossing Easier for You
If you want to have the healthiest teeth and gums, flossing every day is a must. Here’s how you can make it easier for yourself:
- Floss at the Same Time Every Day – By making flossing part of your daily routine, you can ensure you won’t ever forget. We suggest flossing immediately after you brush your teeth. This can be done in the morning or before bed.
- Make Sure You are Using Enough Floss – If you are using a piece of floss that is too short, it will be difficult to get all of your teeth, and it will be impossible to use a clean section of floss for each tooth gap. Use 18-24 inches for best results.
- Try Using Floss Picks – Although most dentists agree that floss picks are not nearly as effective as traditional dental floss, they are better than nothing. If you don’t floss every day, using floss picks is a good way to develop a healthy new habit. You can also keep a few floss picks on you so you can remove food particles from between your teeth any time of the day.
- Consider a Water Flosser – A water flosser uses high pressure water to clean between the teeth and below the gumline. Using a water flosser can be more convenient for some people, especially those who have braces.
Finding a Dentist in Chicago
At American Dental, we are always available to check up on your oral health and give you advice about how to floss properly. If you live in the Chicago area, give us a call at (773) 897-3218 to find affordable dental services in River West Chicago or at any one of our 8 locations.