We all know the drill: brush your teeth twice a day. But if you’re skipping the floss, you’re only doing half the job. Think of your toothbrush as a broom. It’s great for cleaning the flat, easy-to-reach surfaces of your teeth. But what about the tight cracks and crevices between your teeth? That’s where floss comes in!
Flossing is like the detail cleaner for your mouth. It removes a sticky, invisible film of bacteria called plaque that builds up between your teeth throughout the day. If you don’t remove plaque, it hardens into tartar, which only your dentist can remove. Even worse, the acids produced by plaque can eat away at your tooth enamel and irritate your gums.
Flossing daily is your secret weapon to prevent these problems. Dr. Ed Lazer, a dentist in Owings Mills, MD, is here to share some easy, step-by-step tips to make sure you’re flossing like a pro.
Flossing 101: Simple Tips from Your Dentist for a Healthier Smile
Step 1: Get a Grip! How to Hold Floss the Right Way
If you’ve ever struggled to get floss between your back teeth, you probably just needed a better grip. Holding floss correctly gives you the control you need to clean thoroughly without hurting your gums.
Here’s the dentist-recommended method:
- Break off a long piece of floss; about 18 inches. That’s roughly the distance from your fingertips to your elbow. This seems like a lot, but you need a fresh section of floss for each tooth.
- Wrap the ends around your middle fingers. Take most of the floss and wrap it around one middle finger a few times. Then, wrap the remaining end around the middle finger of your other hand. Your middle fingers act like the spools, holding the bulk of the floss.
- Pinch with your pointers. Now, use your index fingers and thumbs to pinch and guide the floss. You should have about one to two inches of tight floss between your hands to work with.
As you move from tooth to tooth, you’ll unwind a fresh, clean section of floss from one middle finger and take up the used section onto the other. This way, you’re not just moving bacteria from one tooth to another.
Step 2: The Right Moves: Positioning and Technique
Now that you’ve got a good grip, it’s time for the cleaning part. This isn’t just about popping the floss in and out. The goal is to scrape the sides of each tooth. Follow these tips:
- Guide, Don’t Snap: Gently slide the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth rocking motion. Never “snap” the floss down onto your gums, as this can cause pain and damage.
- Make a “C” Shape: Once the floss is between your teeth, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Hug the tooth with the floss.
- Scrape Up and Down: Slide the floss up and down against the side of the tooth, making sure to go slightly beneath the gumline. You should feel the floss scraping off the plaque.
- Repeat for the Other Side: Now, curve the floss into a C-shape against the neighboring tooth and scrape that side, too.
- Don’t Forget the Backs: Make sure to floss the very back sides of your last molars. These are often missed spots, so pay close attention.
If your gums bleed a little when you first start flossing regularly, don’t panic! This is usually a sign of gingivitis, which is early, reversible gum inflammation caused by plaque. The more consistently you floss, the healthier your gums will become, and the bleeding should stop within a week or two. If bleeding continues, it’s a sign you should see your dentist for a check-up.
Step 3: Find Your Tool: It’s Not Just About String Floss
Let’s be real, traditional string floss can be tricky. If you find it too difficult or just hate the feeling, there are other fantastic tools that can do the same job. The best flossing tool is the one you’ll actually use every day!
- Floss Picks: These are small plastic handles with a piece of floss stretched across them. They’re much easier to hold and maneuver, especially for reaching your back teeth. They’re also great for kids and for people with braces because you can easily thread the pointed end under the wires.
- Water Flosser (or Water Pick): This is an electric device that shoots a steady stream of water between your teeth. It’s like a power washer for your mouth! It’s especially good for people with braces, bridges, implants, or dental work that’s hard to clean around. It can feel a bit messy at first, but many people find it more enjoyable and effective than string floss.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! You might even use a combination of tools. Perhaps a water flosser in the evening and a floss pick after lunch.
Your Partner in Oral Health in Owings Mills, MD
Mastering your flossing technique is a powerful step toward a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. But even the best at-home care needs to be paired with professional check-ups.
Dr. Ed Lazer and his team in Owings Mills, MD are here to be your partners in oral health. We offer general and preventative care, including cleanings and exams to keep your smile in top shape. We also specialize in restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to create the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.
If you have questions about flossing, are due for a cleaning, or want to discuss which dental tools are right for you, we’re here to help.
Ready for your healthiest smile yet? Scheduling an appointment online or give us a call at (410) 697-6290. We look forward to helping you and your family achieve a clean, healthy, and confident smile.