Dental Terms

1. Dental Patient Education
2. Floss correctly

How to Floss Correctly Scarborough

Flossing is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping your teeth and gums healthy. It helps remove food particles and plaque from areas between your teeth that your toothbrush may not reach. To ensure you're flossing correctly and effectively, follow these steps:

Step 1: Get the Right Floss

Choose a dental floss that suits your preferences. Dental floss comes in various types, including nylon filaments and plastic ribbons, flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed. You can also try dental tape, which is thinner and may be easier to use if you have tight spaces between your teeth.

Step 2: Prepare the Floss

Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand. Make sure you have enough length to use a clean section of floss between each tooth.

Step 3: Insert the Floss

Hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers, leaving about 1-2 inches of floss to work with. Gently guide the floss between two teeth by sliding it back and forth. Be careful not to snap or force the floss, as this can harm your gums.

Step 4: Curve Around the Tooth

When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a "C" shape around one of the teeth. This allows the floss to make contact with the tooth and reach below the gumline, where plaque can accumulate.

Step 5: Clean Along the Tooth

With the floss curved around the tooth, gently slide it up and down. This action helps remove plaque and debris. Be thorough but gentle to avoid damaging your gums or teeth.

Step 6: Move to the Next Tooth

After cleaning one tooth, release the used section of floss from one finger while winding the clean section onto the other finger. This ensures you use a fresh portion of floss for each tooth.

Step 7: Repeat for Each Tooth

Continue this process for each tooth, including the backside of your last teeth. Make sure to floss both sides of every tooth in your mouth.

Step 8: Rinse and Dispose

After flossing, rinse your mouth to remove any dislodged debris. Dispose of the used floss properly in a trash bin. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Remember, flossing should be a gentle and thorough process. Avoid snapping the floss, as it can harm your gums. If you have difficulty flossing due to dexterity issues, consider using a commercial floss holder or floss picks.

Regular flossing, along with brushing and routine dental check-ups, is essential for maintaining your oral health. If you have any questions about proper flossing techniques or need guidance on your oral care routine, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Michael Handler Dentistry at 416-267-4661. We are here to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Visit us at 308-2401 Eglinton Avenue E in Scarborough, ON.

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