Many patients neglect to floss regularly or add flossing to their daily dental routine. This is a critical mistake. Flossing is just as important as brushing. Only through flossing can you reach areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care hears a lot of reasons why our patients don’t floss regularly at their bi-annual appointments. Here are a few tips and tricks about flossing that can help you keep a better dental routine.
For many patients, the biggest issue is that they never learned to floss properly. This is an easy fix. When you are flossing, the first step is to take about 18 inches of floss out from the container. Wrap one end around each of your middle fingers. Twirling one finger will pull away dirty floss, with the floss twirling in from the other finger being clean. The next step is to guide the floss gently between your teeth. Try not to snap the floss. This will only hurt you and damage your gums. Once the floss is in, curve it around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Tightly hold the floss and slide it up an down. Make sure to do this for all of your teeth.
If you have trouble getting to certain areas of your mouth when flossing, there's no need to give up. Almost all grocery stores and supermarkets sell handheld flossing applicators. These small devices can fit into the tighter areas of your mouth. This allows you to clean them as well. For tight spaces between teeth, consider using a different type of floss. Floss comes in various thicknesses and types. A thinner floss should be able to fit between any teeth.
Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.
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