Flossing your teeth is an integral part of dental care routine. The American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth at least once every week for a good oral health. Daily flossing however, helps to prevent development of plaque that generally builds up in some areas where toothbrushes cannot reach, as well as cavities and other gum diseases.
How Do You Do It?
Removing plaque from your teeth is important, because with time it gets hardened and forms tartar. The most essential part about flossing is its procedure. It just needs an extra minute or two of your day and can lead to extremely healthy teeth.
Here are a few easy steps for proper flossing.
- Spiral each end of 18 inches floss, around the middle finger of both your hands.
- The floss has to be tightly held between the forefingers and thumbs.
- Gently rub it between your teeth, paying attention to never let the floss reach the gums.
- The floss has to be curved in the form of a C, as soon as it reaches the base of the gum-line. Then, slowly rub it in the space between the tooth and the gum.
- Especially for molars and pre-molars, hold the floss tightly against the tooth, following a rhythmic up and down motion.
- Take care of the back part of the tooth the same way.
Flossing should not be painful. It might be quite uncomfortable at the beginning, but with time you will get used to it. If the discomfort doesn’t stop within a week or two of constant practice and you start feeling pain, it’s recommended to consult a dentist.
Necessity of Flossing
Flossing is often necessary even for children. A child’s teeth have to be taken care of, as soon as the two teeth developed are attached to each other. Children need assistance in flossing because they generally cannot do it on their own until they are 10 or 11 years old.
As conventional flossing may appear difficult to some people, they might head on to other methods to clean areas between their teeth. There are several inter-oral cleaning methods which can be of help if flossing bothers you. Wooden plaque removal, pre-threaded floss or dental pick, are common replacements of regular flossing. However, if using these alternative methods, make sure you get the proper dental care advice.
You can opt for any type of oral floss such as comfort, thick, waxed, or un-waxed floss. For further advice on flossing, and to help you find a dentist in your area, visit identistreview. You will be able to see what other patients like you are saying and evaluate which dentist is the best for you.