Dr. G. Trevor Smith and our team encourage each of our patients to brush and floss diligently every day. Individuals should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Unfortunately, there are many people who leave flossing out of their dental hygiene routine. Others do not know how to floss properly. Our dentist and team are pleased to give you tips on proper flossing.
Follow the instructions we outline to receive maximum flossing benefits. Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of the floss around each of your middle fingers, leaving about one to two inches in between. Hold the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers and gently work it in between each tooth. Slide the floss gently up and down between each tooth. Make sure you go beneath the gum line by curving the floss in a C-shape around the bottom of each tooth. Never force the floss, as this can cut or bruise the gums. Move to clean sections of floss as you move to different teeth. When removing the floss, use a back-and-forth motion to bring the floss away from the teeth.
There are two main types of dental floss to choose between. Nylon floss can be waxed or unwaxed. This type of floss is made of several strands of nylon, so it can tear or shred, especially between crowded teeth. Single filament (PTFE) floss is virtually shred-resistant, but slightly more expensive. It slides easily between the teeth, even those that are tightly spaced. Both types of floss do an excellent job or removing plaque and debris from the teeth when used properly.
We invite you to contact our dental office today to learn more about flossing in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and to schedule your next visit.
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