Use That Floss Daily!
Plaque is a sticky substance that forms between teeth and at the gum line. Properly brushing your teeth is an effective way to remove some amounts of plaque, but other techniques are needed to remove all plaque.
Daily use of dental floss helps remove every bit of plaque. Although everyone brushes, almost no one flosses daily. Most people don’t floss at all.
There is a proper technique to using dental floss that removes the most amount of plaque. The technique takes practice, but with repeated attempts, you’ll be flossing daily like a pro.
As you chew your food, some of it gets caught in the spaces between teeth. Food is hard to remove from between tight teeth with the bristles of a toothbrush. This is why it is vital to floss.
There are all types of dental floss made today–shred resistant, flavored, impregnated with fluoride, waxed, unwaxed, orthodontic floss, floss picks, floss for children, and periodontal floss. You want to wrap the floss around several fingers on each hand and work the floss into the crevices around the teeth. Do not use sewing thread as dental floss! Moving the floss up and down loosens plaque from places that toothbrush bristles cannot reach.
Some people wrap floss around their fingers while others hold it between their fingers. With a back and forth motion, gently work the floss in between two teeth. This protects gums. Then wrap the floss around an inside edge of a tooth by making a “C” shape with the floss. Use the floss to scrape the plaque from the tooth. Use the floss on all teeth.
You can use your floss as many times a day as needed, but you must always floss at least once a day. Try to be gentle when you floss and avoid trauma to the gum tissues.
The dental hygienist at Dr. Rumberger’s office will be happy to teach you how to use your floss properly.