Are You Sure You Know The Proper Way To Floss?

July 14, 2015

Flossing is a lot easier than you think.In case you’ve been living under a rock since you came into this world, flossing, along with brushing, is one of the most important steps to take in ensuring your oral health is at its peak performance. Flossing cleans your teeth in ways that a toothbrush can’t. It’s one of the best ways to prevent diseases and bacteria from invading. There is a huge difference between “just” flossing and flossing with the proper technique. If you’re cutting corners and not flossing correctly, or you have no clue what the proper flossing technique incorporates, we’re here to help. All it takes is a little dedication and your dental routine can become beneficial. Our Brookfield, WI office has a team that genuinely cares about your oral health, and helping you achieve the best results possible is what we pride ourselves on. Are you ready to up your flossing game?

How To Properly Floss

Think about all the food you consume in just a single day. If you’re eating at least three meals per day, just think about all the bacteria that sits in your mouth during the course of the day. There’s a reason we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day. When you either choose not to floss or floss incorrectly, your tooth’s health is at risk. Simply put, the longer foot particles stay in your mouth, the more likely you are to suffer from ailments like tooth decay and gum disease (periodontitis).

So, it’s time to have a crash course in proper flossing. Are you ready? Here we go:

  1. Remove 18 inches or a little less of floss. Wind each end around your fingers (whichever is most comfortable), leaving an inch or two for stability.
  1. Slide the floss gently over, around and between your teeth.
  1. Curve the floss around the base of each tooth as gently as possible ensuring you hit beneath the gum line.
  1. Don’t force the floss as it could tear gum tissue.
  1. As you move from tooth to tooth, be sure to use clean or unused sections of the floss.
  1. If the floss gets stuck, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring it away from your teeth.

Performing these six simple steps will help keep your teeth healthy all day long.

Schedule A Regular Checkup Today

Flossing properly is just one step in the entire general dentistry category. Regular checkups help us locate and diagnose any dental problems, so it’s important you visit our office in Brookfield, WI to ensure your mouth is at its healthiest. We also serve the surrounding communities of New Berlin, West Allis, Pewaukee, Wauwatosa and beyond.