How to Floss Teeth Properly: A Complete Guide for Healthy Gums

Flossing teeth is important! Period. There’s no other way to put it. If you want healthy teeth, brushing them twice daily is the bare minimum you can do. Brushing alone only cleans 60% of the tooth’s surface, leaving the remaining 40% filled with bacteria, which can dental issues and even loss of tooth over time. This is where dental floss helps.

Why is Flossing Important?

Research has shown that those who floss daily have fewer dental problems over time than those who neglect it. Flossing your teeth helps keep teeth clean and free from the accumulation of food particles and plaque between them and along the gumline. Some of the other benefits include:

• Reduces Risk of Gum Disease: Regular flossing keeps your gums healthy by preventing inflammation and gingivitis.
• Promotes Fresh Breath: Removing food particles helps reduce bacteria that cause bad breath.

What Types of Dental Floss Are There?

There are various dental flosses available in the market. Learn about the type that suits your needs.

How to Floss Teeth Properly?

Flossing correctly is important to get the best possible outcome without damaging your gums. It might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice, it’ll become second nature. Follow these steps to master the art of flossing:

Step 1: Cut the dental floss to about 18 inches. With roughly 2 inches of floss remaining, wind it around the middle finger.

Step 2: Using your thumbs and forefingers, hold the floss taut. Using a sawing motion, carefully glide the floss between your teeth.

Step 3: Curve the floss in a ‘C’ shape and press it against one tooth. Slide it up and down the tooth's side.

Step 4: Repeat it for all the teeth and don’t forget the back side of your last molars.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Flossing

• Don’t use the same piece of floss for all the teeth as it can spread bacteria around your mouth. Try using a new section for each tooth.
• Be gentle! Flossing too aggressively can damage gums, leading to recession and sensitivity.
• Flossing once in a blue moon isn’t going to be enough. Make it a daily habit.

Flossing for Different Age Groups: Is There Any Difference?

How you floss and which flosser to use can change based on the individual’s age and dental structure.

Tips for Flossing with Braces or Clear Aligners

Braces can trap food particles and plaque more easily, leading to a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. Hence, flossing with dental braces, retainers or other appliances requires extra care. If you’re undergoing a case of clear aligner treatment for teeth straightening, you still need to take precautions.

With a wear time of 22 hours, clear aligners stay in close contact with your teeth, creating an ideal breeding ground for the bacteria. This can lead to problems like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Try the following tips to ensure proper flossing of the teeth:

Use Orthodontic Flossers: These flossers have a firm end, which makes it easier to thread the floss around wires.

Floss Threaders: Put floss under the archwire to clean between teeth and along the gumline.

Water Flossers: Dentists often suggest these for people with braces. The high-pressure water gets rid of debris from hard-to-reach spots without harming the appliance.

How Flossing Can Affect Your Overall Health?

Flossing isn’t just about shiny-looking teeth, it can impact your entire body’s health.

Oral-Systemic Link

Flossing isn’t just about shiny-looking teeth, it can impact your entire body’s health.

Heart Disease: Periodontal inflammation has been found to contribute to heart issues. Bacteria from the mouth have been found to travel through the bloodstream and play a part in arterial plaque.

Diabetes: Diabetics are more likely to get gum disease, which makes flossing all the more important to control the disease.

Respiratory Health: Bacteria in the mouth can be breathed in, which can result in respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia.

To Sum it Up

If you brush your teeth twice a day and still have tartar or cavities in your mouth, you might be wondering why. The answer is dental flossing. Flossing teeth regularly is important for people of all age groups. And especially if you’re undergoing any orthodontic treatment like clear aligners or braces. By choosing the right floss, using the correct technique, and avoiding common mistakes, you can protect your teeth and gums for years to come.

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