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Fine Points of Flossing

| May 7, 2014 Comment

Fine Points of Flossing – You hear it from your dentist at just about every visit: “floss more”! Why does he care so much? Because no matter how good of a brusher you are, one of each tooth still remains untouched. Watch this video to learn how to fix that!

Expert: Paul Fletcher, DDS Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, Specialized Dentistry of New York

Transcript

You hear it from your dentist at just about every visit: “floss more”! Why does he care so much? Because no matter how good of a BRUSHER you are, ONE THIRD of the tooth STILL remains untouched. When food and bacteria are left in the cracks between your teeth, plaque quickly forms. This is the leading cause of gum disease and tooth decay. In 24 to 36 hours that plaque can harden into tartar, which can ONLY be removed by a professional. If left alone, tartar makes teeth more difficult to clean and it can lead to gingivitis.

So, the first rule of proper flossing, DON’T SKIMP. Start with 18 to 20 inches of floss. Wrap the ends around your middle fingers, then grab the floss between your thumb and index finger, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of floss between them. Gently zig zag, NOT JAM, the floss between your teeth. Guide it up and down along the side of the tooth and gently UNDER the gumline. Don’t shoe shine it.

Use a CLEAN SECTION of floss on each tooth. Do this ONCE or twice a day, preferably in the evening after dinner to keep food from sitting on your teeth overnight. And if you’re NEW to regular flossing, a little bleeding and gum tenderness may occur.  This usually subsides within a few days. If not, it could be a sign of gum disease and it should be checked out by your dentist.

For most people, the type of floss you use shouldn’t make much of a difference. Waxed, unwaxed, flavored – they all work the same, so choose what you like best. However, if you have larger spaces between your teeth, wide FLAT FLOSS will do a better job. If you have SMALL spaces, look for thin, shred-resistant floss. Also, if you have trouble flossing or have BRACES that get in the way, there are picks and threaders that can be used as a flossing aids to make the job easier. For more ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy, check out other videos in this series.
Last Modified: 2012-10-05 | Tags »
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Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos

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