A B C of Flossing

Brushing your teeth is an important measure taken to remove plaque, shoo away bad breath and prevent gum diseases but it alone cannot protect the teeth from the tooth decay and total freedom from plaque. One has to floss daily so that it could remove the plaques which are hidden in the areas where toothbrush cannot reach such as surface between the teeth.

Flossing should be done not only to remove plaque but also remove the food debris which are stuck in between teeth and cannot be removed by simple brushing.

One should spend at least two to three minutes while flossing and it should be done with utmost care or it can hurt the gum.

How to floss my teeth?

Take floss and hold it loosely in between each middle finger and gently push it between teeth’s but be cautious not to snap it down on gums. Now move the floss up and down between the spaces of teeth. Do this for all teeth’s.

With time you will get used to it and it will be as simple as brushing.

What kind of floss should be used?

Using floss is an art and thus should be done with care. The first step is to find a kind of floss which you get comfortable with and which is not too difficult to use. You can choose from the various kinds of dental flosses available in the market which can make it easier to use such as disposable dental flosses.

If you still not get comfortable using or handling dental floss than you can use floss holder or prethreaded flosser. It can be used by the people who has less finger dexterity or for flossing the mouth of the children or are beginners.

Should I stop if my gums are bleeding?

The teeth may bleed for first few days and they could even be sore. The bleeding and soreness could be an indication that you have some form of gum disease. Bleeding will stop after few days when the bacteria will be completely chucked out of your mouth.

If bleeding doesn’t stop than you must visit your dentist.

Flossing takes a few minutes of your precious time but its worthwhile and pays in long run. Brushing and flossing together can help in maintaining healthy teeth and gum life long.