Whether you can feel it or not, food particles get stuck between your teeth and under the gum line. This can cause plaque buildup and tartar and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Daily flossing helps remove plaque and food particles between teeth and keep gums healthy.
Do you have questions about how to floss your teeth? Here are some helpful tips According to the American Dental Association®:
Flossing
Even if you brush twice a day, there are places your toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gumline. A simple routine of daily teeth cleaning, good eating habits and regular dental visits can help prevent tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease.
If you have trouble handling floss, you may wish to try a floss holder or another type of interdental cleaning aid. Interdental cleaners include narrow brushes, picks, or sticks used to remove plaque from between teeth. Your dentist or hygienist can tell you how to use these special cleaners.
Choose products with the American Dental Association® Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA standards for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators and mouth rinse.
Your dentist or hygienist can show you the right way to floss. It may feel clumsy at first, but do not give up. It takes a little time to get the hang of it. The following suggestions may help:
- Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your index fingers. Wind the remaining floss around a finger on the opposite hand. This finger will take up the used floss.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth, using a gentle back and forth motion. To avoid injuring your gums, never snap the floss into gum tissue.
- When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth with an up and down motion. Avoid using a sawing motion once the floss is worked into place.
- Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. As you move from tooth to tooth, unwind the clean floss with one finger and take up the used floss with the finger on the opposite hand. Do not forget to floss the back side of the last tooth.
Dr. Derrick Cantu and Dr. Christi Wengler recommend that you help your child floss (and brush!) until they are about 7 years old, as by that age their motor skills will have developed enough that they can floss on their own.
If you have any questions about flossing or about pediatric dental care in San Antonio, Texas, please contact Pediatric Dentistry of San Antonio at 210-680-7841. We will be happy to provide you with more information and help you schedule an appointment for your child with our board certified pediatric dentists.