Probably the most important dental regimen is flossing. Brushing alone cannot get rid of all the food particles left in our mouth. Especially in hard to reach areas like in the gum line or between the teeth. Everyday bacteria builds up in our teeth and gums and develop into plaque. Flossing should be done with brushing to get optimum results. There are a lot of floss products in the market. It doesn’t matter what kind of floss you choose. What’s important is you floss diligently.
There are some people who don’t floss because they feel awkward or feel like they never get the hang of it. It does not require a special skill to do it. All you need is practice; and probably some tips.
- Wind about 18 inches of floss in one of your fingers. Usually it’s the middle finger or whatever finger you’re comfortable using. Wind the other end of the floss on a finger on your other hand. Leave about 6 inches of floss to work with. If this part wears out, wind it towards your other finger.
- The molars are the hardest to clean because they’re the most difficult to reach. Trace the curve of the tooth’s surface. Do for three to four times.
- Be gentle when you’re flossing between teeth that are close together. Do not do it in a sawing motion as it could cause damage to soft tissues.
- Start from the back going to the front then repeat the process on the other teeth.
- Your last step would be to rinse your mouth.
If you still think this is not doable for you, you can get a floss threader to make it easier for you. You can also watch videos on how to floss properly. Or you can ask your hygienist to show you how.
Taking time everyday to remove food particles and prevent plaque is something you’ll never regret. If you want to know more on what you could do to prevent dental problems from slowly developing, talk to your dental team so they could guide you.
