What Do You Know about Dental Floss?

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The amazing benefits of dental flossing is an often-overlooked portion of dentistry that often goes unappreciated. Dental floss is designed to clean your mouth and reach the hidden areas in the inner recesses between your teeth to achieve the perfect clean. If your teeth and gums remain bacteria-free, they can continue to shine and work effectively for the rest of your life.

To begin, try using a single filament thread that cannot tear or rip easily. Begin by breaking off a portion of thread about 16-20 inches in length. Wrap each end of the floss around one finger on each hand while making sure it is loose enough that you can slide up and down the strand as required. If you cannot easily floss with threaded floss, try switching to an alternative interdental tool such as a water flosser.

Floss gently but efficiently. Make an effort to clean between all teeth and the teeth in the back row. If you are bleeding, it is likely that you are pressing too hard, although it could also be a sign of gum disease. When flossing, wrap the floss around a tooth at a “c” angle to ensure all sides of the tooth are cleaned. Never use the same area of the thread between more than one tooth. Slide up or down the thread when alternating between teeth. Going at the proper speed, you can floss your complete set of teeth in only a few minutes. After you are done flossing, throw the used strand away as you should use a fresh portion each time you floss.

If you are looking for oral health treatments in Denver, Colorado, come see Thomas E. Ouellette, DDS, PC soon. To schedule an appointment, simply call our dentist office at 303-296-1402. With the help of Dr. Thomas Ouellette and our team, the pathway to a clear smile can be yours. We will get you the smile you’ve always wanted!