The Ultimate Flossing Guide

The American Dental Association recommends flossing once every day. We know that flossing is usually the part of proper dental care that goes to the wayside. Your trusted dentist in Springfield, Missouri wants to help ensure flossing is part of your daily routine. Provided below, by Access Dental and Dentures, are steps to properly floss between your teeth as well as some other helpful tips!

Proper Flossing Steps-

Step 1: Unwind

About 18 inches of floss should be unwound and wrapped around the middle finger of each hand. Now pinch the floss between the thumbs and index finger, with about two-inches between. Use thumbs to maneuver floss toward the teeth.


Step 2: Guide

The two-inch gap between the fingers should be pulled tight. Now use the index fingers to direct the floss between two teeth.

Step 3: Glide

Gently wiggle the floss back and forth in a zig-zag motion. Avoid forcing floss between the teeth. Contour the floss against the outside of each tooth and down into the gum line.

Step 4: Slide

Move the floss up and down, in a sliding motion, against the two tooth surfaces. Also slide the floss below the gum line to clean beneath the surface.

Step 5: Repeat

Move your fingers to position a fresh portion of the floss between the next set of teeth. Repeat the above steps until you have flossed between each set of teeth in your mouth, then throw the entire piece of floss away.

Flossing Device

A hand-held flosser is more convenient for some patients. With this type of flossing, you still go through the five steps above. Snapping the flosser between two teeth is more common with a flosser, try to avoid this. The snap can be painful and cause damage to the teeth and gums.

Flossing with Dental Work

To avoid floss getting caught in your dental appliance, many patients with braces or other dental work, floss with a specific tool. Many times special orthodontic floss or a threaded can be used to maneuver the floss between teeth and around any dental work in the patient’s mouth.

Be Gentle

The key to flossing is to ease the floss between teeth gently. To avoid damage to the teeth or gums, ensure you take your time and use proper techniques to thoroughly clean between your teeth with floss.

Flossing is a very important part of your oral care regimen. If you do not floss, you miss 40% of the tooth surface in your mouth. Ensure you floss at least once a day for a healthy smile. Now that you know the importance of flossing, you are ready to start taking better care of your teeth. The best dentist in southern Missouri wants to help you take care of your oral health. Give Access Dental & Dentures a call 877-DENTIST today if you are in need of a dental appointment.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Springfield Office                         Rolla Office                     Osage Beach Office
(417) 501-1048                              (573) 426-5447                  (573) 348-1466
1701 West Sunshine                      416 S. Bishop Ave.            4320 Osage Beach Parkway

Springfield, MO 65807                   Rolla, MO 65401               Osage Beach, MO. 65065