Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene, but many people don’t know how to do it properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Tear off a piece of floss about 18 inches long. Wind most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving about an inch or two of floss between them.
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Hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers. Gently guide the floss between your teeth. Use a sawing motion to get it past any tight spots.
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Once the floss is between your teeth, curve it into a C-shape around the side of one tooth. Gently slide the floss up and down along the side of the tooth, making sure to reach under the gumline. Repeat on the other side of the tooth.
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Move the floss to the next space between your teeth and repeat steps 2 and 3. Be sure to use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
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When you’re finished flossing, rinse your mouth with water.
Here are some additional tips for flossing:
- Use a gentle sawing motion when flossing, rather than a harsh back-and-forth motion. This will help prevent gum irritation.
- Don’t snap the floss between your teeth. This can damage your gums.
- If you have braces or other dental work, ask your dentist for specific flossing instructions.
- Floss once a day, preferably before brushing.
Flossing can help remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. This can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
