Step-by-Step Guide: Properly Flossing Teeth
Correct technique plays a very important role when flossing. Here’s our simple guide to flossing properly:
- Always be gentle when flossing to avoid damaging your gums.
- Cut a piece of floss about 35-40 centimeters long and wrap the ends around the middle fingers of both hands.
- Hold a piece of floss about 4-5 centimeters long between your thumb and forefinger.
- With a gentle back and forth motion, insert the floss into the space between your teeth.
- When the floss reaches the gum line, press the floss into a C shape.
- Press the floss to one side of the tooth and use the floss to gently lift the plaque up and away from the gums.
- Repeat this process for the other tooth in this space.
- Don’t forget behind the last tooth.
- Take a systematic approach to make sure you don’t forget a tooth.
If you are not sure how to use floss correctly, you can consult your dentist.
While flossing, blood may be seen at first, but this bleeding should go away quickly. If bleeding continues after a few days while flossing, it may be a sign of gum disease. In this case, we recommend that you contact your dentist.