How to floss

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learn to Floss properly
Part 2 of 3: Floss Your Teeth
Part 3 of 3: Maintain Optimal Oral Hygiene
Tips
Warnings

Daily use of floss (or dental floss) removes food debris and plaque where the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach. By using dental floss, you not only fully clean your teeth, but also take care of the health of your gums. In addition, it is floss that allows you to get rid of the cause of halitosis (bad breath). While the process of using dental floss may seem daunting and tricky at first, it will get easier and easier over time. Start with the basics: learn how to hold and floss properly, then move on to flossing your teeth. Finally, get into the habit of using floss to keep your teeth and gums healthy for years to come.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Learn to Floss properly

1 Pull out a piece of thread that is 46–61 cm long. Approximately this length of thread is necessary so that it is easier for you to twist and fix the ends with your fingers. In addition, each tooth needs to be treated with a new clean section of the floss. That is why it will be much more convenient to immediately cut the thread longer.
- If you pulled too short a length of thread, it's okay. Just use it and draw out a new section whenever you need a new clean thread.
2 Thread the ends of the floss around your middle fingers. First, wind the thread around the middle finger of one hand, and then onto the finger of the other hand - this will be more convenient. Just make a few turns around the middle fingers until the thread is taut. But do not overdo it - do not pull the thread too tight so that it cuts into the skin of your fingers and disrupts microcirculation. The twists and turns of the thread around your fingers should be light enough yet secure enough to keep you comfortable.
- If you feel that the floss is too tight, simply loosen it and rewind.
3 Pinch a section of thread about 2.5-7.6 cm long between your thumb and forefinger. Thus, lock the thread (2.5-7.6 cm long) between the thumb and forefinger of your right and left hand - you will have a separate piece of thread. It is with this fragment that you will clean the interdental spaces. Gradually, moving from tooth to tooth, move your fingers, moving on to a clean piece of thread, which you will use to clean the next tooth.
- You can use lengths of thread of any size - the main thing is that you feel comfortable. If it is more convenient for you to use a longer section of the thread, do so, just place your hands a little further.

Part 2 of 3: Floss Your Teeth

1 Start with the maxillary central incisors and brush the teeth in each segment one at a time. Get in the habit of starting with the central incisors and then moving to the right or left side to clean the entire dentition. Try to always start on the same side to make it a habit.
- When using floss, stick to roughly the same procedure to make sure you don't lose sight of a single tooth.
Advice: For example, you can start at the gap between your central incisors and then work your way to the right. Once you're done, go back to the central incisors and move on to the left side of the dentition.
2 Try to floss just below the gum line, but don't persist. Flossing should be done very carefully. First, do a few back and forth movements, and then slowly roll it just below the edge of the gum.
- Do not push or push the floss as far as possible beyond the gum line. Inaccurate handling of the thread can injure the gingival mucosa and cause bleeding.Flossing close to the gingival margin should always be done very carefully.
3 Move your fingers slightly so that the section of the floss with which you are processing the contact surface of the tooth is curved in the shape of the letter "C". This way, you can treat every tooth surface as efficiently as possible. Having reached the bottom border of the tooth, slide the floss up and down its surface, dropping slightly over the edge of the gums. Work the thread the way you like.
- It is very important to thoroughly clean the space below the gingival margin - it is this manipulation that protects the teeth and gums from further tartar formation. However, as mentioned above, do not go too deep with the thread, otherwise you will simply injure the gum.
4 It is necessary to make 8-10 reciprocating movements of the floss on each surface of the tooth. Move the floss from top to bottom and bottom to top, sliding along the surface of the tooth. This will help remove food debris and plaque that accumulates most quickly on the contact surfaces of the teeth.
- If, after using the floss, you still feel food debris between your teeth, unwind the clean section of the dental floss and floss in that area again.
5 As you move on to the next tooth, move the floss to get a clean new spot each time. To do this, simply move your fingers to move the portion of the floss between them. When using the entire floss, simply unwind the clean floss from your fingers. Thus, this brushing technique allows you to use a new clean floss area for cleaning each tooth - this makes brushing more effective.
- If you run out of dental floss, simply rewind a new piece. But this is usually not necessary.
Advice: Your gums may start bleeding a little. This is normal, especially if you are just starting to floss. In just a couple of days, there will be no trace of bleeding. If your gums are bleeding continuously for 3-5 days or longer, it is best to see your dentist to make sure your gums are in good shape. Most likely nothing serious happened, but it's always best to be sure of this for sure.
6 Remember to clean the distal surfaces of your wisdom teeth. You will have to move your fingers a little further to reach the wisdom teeth with the floss and clean all surfaces of each of them. Floss the distal (i.e., farthest) surface of your wisdom teeth. Do not forget to clean all surfaces of the wisdom teeth of the upper and lower jaw on the right and left in the same way.
- Usually, gingival inflammation and caries occur first on the lateral group of teeth, because they are most difficult to clean properly. So try to floss your teeth as best you can.
7 After you have floated your upper jaw teeth, move on to your lower jaw teeth. Again, start in the center and move first one way, then the other. Try to clean the segments in the same order each time. It will be much more beneficial to floss your teeth on the lower jaw in the same order as on the upper jaw - this will help you to form a habit much faster.
- Again, try to brush your teeth in the same order with the same technique each time.
8 When finished, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. It is important to rinse your mouth out to remove any debris that you floss from the interdental spaces. In addition, after using the mouthwash, you will immediately feel a pleasant sensation of cleanliness and freshness.
- The use of chlorhexidine as a mouthwash destroys microorganisms and creates a special barrier, protecting the surface of the teeth and gums.Keep in mind that long-term use of chlorhexidine as a mouthwash (over 7 days) leads to a gradual staining of the teeth in a darker grayish color and a change in the balance of microflora in the oral cavity, which can lead to serious consequences, such as the development of a fungal infection (more on website: https://www.stomat-info.ru/lechenie/preparaty/kak-chasto-mozhno-poloskat-rot-hlorgeksidinom.html). Therefore, it is worth using chlorhexidine only on the recommendation of a dentist.
- Mouthwashes containing fluoride also have a positive effect on tooth enamel. Keep in mind that people with a disease such as endemic fluorosis are contraindicated in the use of toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride (for more details, visit: http://stom-portal.ru/terapiya/nekarioznye-porazheniya-tkanej-zubov /endemicheskij-flyuoroz-zubov.html)

Part 3 of 3: Maintain Optimal Oral Hygiene

1 Try to floss your teeth at least once a day before bed. In fact, it is best to floss once a day to avoid traumatic flossing on the gums. It is recommended to floss in the evening before bed (after brushing your teeth with a toothbrush). Thus, food debris and plaque will not begin to decompose and become contaminated with microorganisms at night.
- If you have food debris stuck between your teeth, try to thoroughly walk in these places with dental floss in order to thoroughly clean all the particles.
2 Some experts recommend flossing before using a toothbrush, but opinions differ on this issue. The fact is that thanks to the floss, you have the opportunity to clean out stuck food debris and plaque from the contact surfaces. Therefore, as many believe, it is more useful and more effective to use floss before brushing with a toothbrush in order to first remove food debris from the interdental spaces. You may find over time that this technique provides better cleaning of your teeth, making them cleaner and healthier.
- Dentists give different recommendations on when to floss, so it's best to get your dentist's opinion if he recommends flossing during your routine check-up. It all depends on the individual characteristics of your body. Your doctor may advise you to floss after brushing your teeth.
Another option: You may find it easier to floss after brushing your teeth to remove plaque from the contact surfaces. If you want to floss after brushing your teeth, this is a perfectly acceptable option. This will not prevent you from enjoying the clean and fresh effect after flossing.
3 If you find it difficult to floss, try an analogue - flosser. Flossing is extremely important for maintaining optimal oral hygiene, so it is important to floss every day. But in some cases, people still cannot get used to dental floss and use it correctly. Fortunately, today there are worthy analogues that may suit you much more than a classic dental floss. For example, you can try the following options:
- "Flossers" are small Y-shaped "handles" with dental floss stretched between the shoulders. Perhaps it will be more convenient for you to use just such an analogue.
- "Superfloss", which have the property of expanding in wider intervals and, conversely, contracting in narrow ones. Superfloss can be useful and effective if you have wide interdental spaces and contact points between your teeth are not formed.
- Special dental floss, thanks to which you can effectively clean the space between the orthodontic structures.
- Irrigators are effective complementary oral hygiene products.Irrigators also help remove food debris from the interdental spaces and remove plaque from contact surfaces. Their action is based on the supply of a jet of water under pressure, which washes away plaque and food debris. But this hygiene product cannot be used as a substitute for dental floss.

Tips

In most cases, your dentist will know when you are flossing. The fact is that, instrumentally, plaque and food debris are still detected in the interdental spaces, which subsequently cause problems with the teeth and gums.
It is normal for your gums to bleed after you start using dental floss. But after a few days of regular use of the floss, the bleeding should stop. Therefore, you should contact your dentist if this problem has not disappeared after a few days.
Take care of your oral cavity. Make sure to brush and floss before bed.
Wash your hands before using the floss and after freezing the procedure.
You can buy flavored dental floss, such as mint extract or bubble gum flavor, if you don't like regular floss.
If you wear braces, bridges, or other prosthetic and orthodontic appliances, ask your dentist how to properly care for these appliances and how to floss for your particular case.
If you are having problems with excessive slipping of the floss between your teeth, use waxed floss.

Warnings

Do not floss more than once. Used dental floss is contaminated and contaminated with microorganisms, so the use of such dental floss is not only ineffective, but even harmful.
If you experience bleeding gums after flossing, try gently massaging the bleeding area with your finger on the vestibular (lip or buccal) and oral (lingual or palatal) sides.
If the bleeding gets worse or continues a week after you started using the floss, see your dentist. Bleeding gums can occur for other reasons.