Proper Flossing | Lutz | Land O'Lakes | Wesley Chapel

Oral Health Tip: Proper Flossing

Proper flossing is just as crucial for good oral health as regular brushing. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can begin along the gum line and between the teeth, and flossing allows you to reach those areas that might remain untouched by brushing.

Start by choosing a type of floss. This is really a subjective decision. It doesn’t matter whether you choose waxed, unwaxed, spongy floss, or dental tape – so long as you use it properly, and on a regular basis. The rule of thumb is to use the type of floss you are most comfortable using. Similarly, it is entirely up to you whether you use a manual or electric flosser, or just use your fingers. Again, Serenity Dental’s doctors remind you that the important thing is simply to floss after brushing.

If you use your fingers, there are four simple flossing steps recommended by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association:

Wind about a foot-and-a-half around your middle fingers, and pinch the floss between the thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one- or two-inch space. The thumbs are used to direct the floss between the teeth.
Guide the floss between the contact points of your teeth, using your index fingers. Keep the floss taut.
Guide the floss gently between your teeth, using a zig-zag motion. The floss should be contoured around the teeth.
Slide the floss up and down over the tooth surface and just below the gum line. Adjust your fingers to allow for a clean piece of floss to be used on each tooth.

For more advice on flossing, consult your hygienist or dentist at Serenity Dental. We care very deeply about your oral health, and we’ll do everything we can to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. Serenity Dental is a caring, affordable Tampa Bay area dentist with offices in Lutz/Land O’Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills. Contact us today to set up an appointment.