Think about how many times per day you rely on your teeth. You use them to chew breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You press your tongue against them to make certain sounds when you speak. There's really no doubt about it — your teeth are important, and they deserve your respect. You can pay them that respect by visiting your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. You should also call at the first sign of dental pain, tooth discoloration, or other oral health changes. Read more about dentists and dentistry here on this blog, where we dive deep into related topics.
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If you have recently visited your dentist, then you may have learned about dental floss and how it should be used to remove as much dental plaque as possible. If you want to take your dentist's advice and invest in your oral health, then keep reading to learn about some good tips to ensure that you are flossing the right way.
Use Long Pieces
If you have been flossing with shorter pieces of dental floss, then you should think about switching to a longer piece of floss. A strand that is at least twelve inches long is best. The length will allow you to wind some of the loose floss around your fingers so you can get a good grip. This also helps you to keep the floss taught so you can scrape the sides of the teeth to best remove dental plaque and bits of food.
A single long piece of floss can be progressively shifted on your fingers as you clean between your teeth. This way, you can continually use fresh sections to clean with as the floss starts to become worn.
When using the long strand, make sure to position the floss on the edge of the tooth. With your fingers, pull the floss to the side of the mouth to form a wide C. Then move the taught floss along the edge of the tooth to scrape loose debris. When finished, make your C on the opposite tooth edge and clean this area as well.
You will notice some loose bits of food in your mouth after you floss. To make the most of the flossing technique, rinse your mouth out thoroughly afterward with either water or mouthwash.
Get Underneath the Gums
Most people do not like to floss underneath the gums as this can cause some bleeding and soreness. However, this is extremely important to keep your mouth protected from gingivitis. The good news is that you can use a gentle approach and reduce a great deal of pain and soreness. Start by using a thicker type of floss that is coated completely In wax. The thinner and non-coated floss can easily cut the gums.
You also want to gently slip the floss under the gums without snapping it down beneath the gum line. If you are having trouble getting under the tissues, then use a slow back and forth movement instead.
If you want to know more about flossing and how you can clean between the teeth effectively, speak with your dentist.
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