Smile Specialist

Flossing and good brushing techniques help to maintain one's Cosmetic Dentistry including all Dental Implants, MTI mini Implants, immediate Dental Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, Precision Dentures, Tooth Bleaching, Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic Bonding, Latest Ceramic Restorations, Second Opinions, Smile Profiling, Gum Diseases, Tooth wear and worn, uneven teeth, Periodontal Plastic Surgery, TMJ's, Difficult Occlusions, Excessive Wear Cases, Root canal treatment, Trauma and Emergencies; Anxious or Nervous Patients welcome too!

Dental hygiene techniques- Flossing

Removing plaque from between teeth is most important yet often missed. Most cavities and periodontal diseases begin between the teeth. While brushing is important, the bristles of your brush simply don't reach between teeth. To keep your gums and teeth healthy, you must remove the plaque between your teeth at least once a day. That's why your dentist recommends dental floss.

Don't worry about the type of floss. They all work pretty much the same. Lightly waxed or unwaxed is usually preferred, some are even flavoured.Wind about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving about six inches between your hands. Pinch the floss between your thumbs and index fingers and leave about one inch in between to clean with.

Gently guide the floss down between the teeth using a side to side motion. If your teeth are too tight to floss, or if it catches or tears, let your dentist know about it. These are problems that need to be fixed.

Pull the floss tightly in a C shape around the side of the tooth and slide it under the gumline. Clean the side of the tooth by using an up and down motion, not side to side.

USE THE FLOSS VERTICALLY WHEN PAST ANY TIGHT CONTACT POINT.

You press the floss against each of the tooth surfaces, then continue with the floss around the next tooth space and repeat the process. Wind the floss to a fresh section and gradually work your way around your mouth cleaning both sides of every tooth. If you have problems reaching some areas you may want to use a floss holder(see below).
If your gums are infected, they'll bleed when you floss. That's to be expected if you are just beginning to floss. After a week or so of regular flossing the bleeding should go away. See your dentist if it doesn't or if the spaces between teeth are blocked up. Now you know why brushing your teeth only is insufficient. Most cavities and periodontal diseases start between the teeth where your tooth brush just can't reach. Unless there are gaps, floss too.

If using floss as described above is difficult, there are a number of floss-holding devices that make this easier, especially for those hard to reach areas at the back of the mouth.

See your Dentist or Specialist for individual advice.

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