You brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice, every day - that’s great, but it’s still not enough to prevent oral disease. Good oral hygiene is a two-step process that involves brushing and flossing; and no, flossing twice a month doesn’t cut it!
Put simply, floss gets into places your toothbrush can’t.
It removes plaque and food from in between your teeth and along your gum line. Give flossing a go straight after a meal and you’ll be amazed by how much food is still stuck in between your teeth. If you don’t remove it, it can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and infections.
For first-timers, we know flossing can be tricky. The only way you can learn is really to give it a go, but we’ve also created a quick masterclass for you to hopefully make the process easier:
1. Break-off about 18 inches of dental floss (or from your elbow to your fingertips) and wrap it around your middle fingers until you have 2-3 inches left in between
2. Next, pull the floss taut using each thumb and index finger
3. Then glide the floss against the sides of each tooth
4. As you reach your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape - this allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth
5. Move to a clean section of floss and repeat until you have cleaned around each tooth
6. To finish, rinse your mouth with water or an antibacterial mouthwash.
You have successfully completed your crash course in flossing, now the only things left to do is to floss like a boss, EVERY SINGLE DAY!
This article is intended to promote understanding and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have.
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