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Are You Flossing Properly?

At Amber Hills Family Dentistry we’d like to remind you of the importance of flossing.  We can help answer some of your flossing questions so you can know whether you are flossing properly, or not.

“Which should I do first, brush or floss?” 

The order in which you brush and floss makes no difference as long as you do a thorough job at each.  These two simple steps are the best way to remove decay-causing plaque from your teeth. As a general rule, you should be brushing 2 times a day for two minutes each time.  You should be flossing everyday, usually at bedtime.  

“What is the proper flossing technique?”

-Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.

-Hold the floss taut between your thumbs and index fingers; slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.

-Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line.  As you remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.

-Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. 

“Can I still floss if I wear braces?”

If you are avoiding flossing because you have braces, a dental bridge or a permanent retainer, you need to begin using a floss threader.  Having braces is not an excuse for skipping flossing.  

Contact our office at Amber Hills Family Dental if you have questions about your flossing, or any other dental needs you might have. 

Posted on Behalf of Amber Hills Dental