Discover The Rules and Tools for Flossing

Flossing is a basic part of good dental care, but not everyone is good at flossing. There are actually dos and don’ts to this dental care habit and you need to have the right guide and gear to get the healthy rewards. And don’t forget, National Flossing Day is on November 29 this year.

According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, proper flossing can be done in four easy steps:

1. Wind ­– Wrap about 18 inches of floss between your thumbs and index fingers, pulling tightly to form a taut strand.
2. Guide – Let your index fingers lead the floss between the bottom and top of each tooth.
3. Glide – Smoothly move the floss between teeth in a gentle motion.
4. Slide – Carefully pull the floss up and down along the surface and under the gumline of the tooth, using a clean section of floss for each tooth.

If you’re not a fan of the regular strand, try using a hand-held flosser. The flossing form is similar to the standard style of floss, but you simply hold the handle of the flosser instead of the stretch of string. An electric flosser is another option that uses this technique.

If you’re trying to work around dental work like braces or other appliances, be careful not to let floss get tangled or trapped in this delicate dental equipment. Try using special orthodontic floss or handy floss threaders that allow for flossing in smaller spaces. Then use the same steps you would with standard floss.

No matter which type of floss you choose to use, it’s essential to be gentle to avoid doing dental damage. If you have any questions on flossing form, ask a family dentistry expert in Owings Mills for some helpful hints on this healthy habit.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.