Many people remember to brush their teeth twice a day. But in the rush to brush, flossing may fall by the wayside. However, brushing, no matter how well it is done, will not reach between your teeth. Those spaces between your teeth are prime breeding grounds for bacteria and great places for plaque to accumulate. Those conditions can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
You should floss at least once a day. Most people opt to floss just before bed. It does not matter if you brush or floss first, as long as you do a careful and thorough job of both. Normally, it does not matter if you use waxed or unwaxed floss, although waxed floss may be easier for people who wear braces.
You should use about 18 inches of floss, and wrap most of it around each middle finger. Give yourself about two inches of floss to work with. You should start by flossing your back teeth, and work your way to the front. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth. Curve the floss around the tooth; when you get the gumline, pull your floss into the shape of the letter “c” and floss up and down. Make sure to floss below the gumline.
You might also try using dental tape which is flat, wide and thinner than floss. It might work well for you if have wide spaces between your teeth.
If you have questions about dental floss or any other aspect of your oral care, our dentists Dr. Robert Rodriguez, Dr. Shawn Ray, and Dr. Bailey Hammerberg would love to see you! If you live in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area and would like to make an appointment at Premier Dental, give us a call at 319-294-2323.