If you brush your teeth twice a day or more, do you think your mouth is completely clean and that you’ve exhausted all of your dental hygiene options?
Think again.
Harmful bacteria lurk in the warm, damp spaces between your teeth, and these bacteria invite plaque to form, which puts your mouth at risk for developing tooth decay and periodontal disease.
This is just one of the reasons why flossing is so important to your oral health.
Correct flossing is a pretty easy thing to learn, and there are two techniques to help you out.
The Spool Method
- To use the spool method, take about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it lightly around your middle finger.
- Then, wind the remaining floss around the middle finger on your other hand.
- Now, push the floss between your teeth using your index fingers and thumbs.
- Gently bring the floss up and down several times around both sides of each tooth, making sure to reach below the gum line, forming a “C” shape around each tooth with the floss.
The Loop Method
- To use the loop method, pull off an 18-inch strand of floss, and make it into the shape of a circle.
- Tie the circle with three secure knots, and place all of your fingers (not your thumbs) into the loop.
- Next, use your index fingers to direct the floss through your lower teeth and your thumbs to direct it through your upper teeth.
- Again, be sure to clean below the gum line, and make the floss form a “C” shape around the sides of each tooth.
For more tips about oral hygiene and health, call Dr. Corbet Locke‘s dental office in Waco, Texas at (254) 776-4888.