Flossing 101: The Do’s and Don’ts

Did you know that there was more to flossing than simply running a strand of thread between your teeth? It’s not just important to floss, but more so to floss CORRECTLY. We’ve put together a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when flossing so you can make the most out of it:

DO floss every day

Brushing your teeth alone won’t help you maintain good oral health because it doesn’t physically reach between your teeth. This is where gum disease and cavities tend to originate from the most. You need to this at least every day to reduce your risk of tooth decay so flossing can help you with this.

DON’T always opt for a floss pick

A floss pick has a very rigid shape. While this option is great for kids or for those looking for a quick and easy fix, the shape of this pick makes it nearly impossible to clean around contoured edges. So make sure not to rely on this method ALL the time as it isn’t very efficient.

DO floss under your gums

The correct way to reach under your gums is to snugly wrap the floss around your tooth and then slide it up and down under the gumlines. Do so gently, and avoid snapping the floss straight down between your teeth as this can harm your gum tissue.

DON’T stop flossing for bleeding gums

It’s quite normal to experience some bleeding and soreness if you have just started flossing and do not floss regularly. This should ease up after about 10-14 days, however. If you still have bleeding gums past this time period, you should schedule a consultation with our dentist.

Unsure of how to floss properly or have some tricky areas like dental implants or bridges? Call Port Melbourne Dental Care to schedule a checkup where you can get some pointers.