What is the correct way to floss your teeth?

Question

And how often are you supposed to floss each day?

Answer 1

Proper Flossing

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins.

If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dental hygienist about the variety of dental floss holders or interdental cleaning devices that are available.



Wind 18" of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1"- 2" length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.

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Keep a 1" - 2" length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.

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Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.

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Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.

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--Illustrations adapted by and used courtesy of the John O. Butler Company--

Answer 2

In all honesty, the best way to floss your teeth is to do it everyday. You can have the worst technique and do it everyday and it will do you more good then having the best technique and doing it once a week.

But, you should get about 18 inches of floss. Wrap a little around one index finger and the rest around your other index finger. Slide the floss inbetween your two teeth. Make a C shape around one tooth and go up into the gumline (don't hurt yourself, just get under the gums) and down close to the tip of the tooth. Then do this for the tooth on the other side of the floss. When the floss has something on it, wrap it around the finger with less floss on it and unwrap the finger with more floss on it. Repeat until you have done every tooth.

But remember: IT IS BETTER TO DO IT EVERYDAY, THEN PERFECT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE!

p.s. Don't rinse after you brush your teeth for at least half an hour. If you rinse before then you are rinsing all of the flouride off of your teeth and not getting all the benefits of your toothpaste.

Answer 3

Floss can reach where your toothbrush can't to remove a sticky substance called plague before it hardens and turns into tartar.

You remove it from your teeth by bringing the floss as close to the gumline as possible, curved around the tooth and held tightly to the tooth. Then you bring the floss up the tooth to scrape it clean.

Answer 4

the correct way is up and down and in and out ...make sure the floss goes into each side of the gum (gently) ... the process is brush, floss, then rinse.. AT LEAST twice a day

Answer 5

Don't hurt your gums. That's the right way! Floss after brushing, or even wear Crest White Strips sample for cleaner, whiter teeth. Here's a good site http://www.upkb.com/crestwhitestrips.php for dental health tips and product details.

Answer 6

Go here and click on the link about flossing:

http://www.ada.org/public/games/animation/interface.asp