A Flossing Technique

Without flossing, 30% of the surfaces of your teeth are never clean?

Why Floss?
Without flossing, plaque and calculus build up on teeth and underneath the gums, creating inflammation of the gums which leads to gingivitis and more serious forms of gum disease. Perhaps you notice that when you floss and/or brush that your gums tend to bleed. If so, this is generally a sign that your teeth are not clean. A visit to your charleston dentist and a proper home oral hygiene regimen can get you back on the right track! If the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease is not enough, flossing will also help reduce bad breath! If you do not floss regularly, you might notice that when you do floss, a faint (or strong) odor is apparent. These odors are caused by the buildup of bacterial debris (sulfur compounds) between the teeth and underneath your gums. These compounds can contribute to bad breath, whether or not you recognize it.

Flossing Technique

• Pull out a piece of floss about 24 inches in length .
• Wrap the floss around your 2 middle fingers and grab .5 inch of floss between your thumb and forefinger.
• Carefully insert the floss between your teeth.
• Curve the floss around one of your teeth.
• Move the floss up and down against your tooth.
• Make sure you remove the plaque on your teeth, not just food that has collected.
• Continue on to the next set of teeth. Use a fresh part of the floss and continue flossing. Be sure to scrape all tooth surfaces.
• Rinse thoroughly.

What if I have problems flossing?
There are several flossing products available today. If you are experiencing problems, please ask our office during your next visit so that we can instruct you to use them without causing damage to your gums. Problems with flossing can also be caused by worn fillings or calculus buildup.