How to Floss

I am here to give you guys information about how to properly floss. Before coming to the dental assisting program, I didn’t realize how important it is to floss. Once I learned the right way to floss and the reasoning behind why you floss I changed my ways. If you were deserted on an island, and you were only able to bring a toothbrush or floss, what would you choose and why? The reason I ask this is that most people believe that brushing your teeth will get rid of all the food that you at from that day when really flossing is better than brushing. Flossing is better than brushing because it helps to get in between your teeth where most of the plaque builds up. I will be explaining the steps of what you need and how to floss. By following these steps not only will you be more confident with your smile, but your dentist will be amazed also.

- Ruler
- Dental floss

The first step is to measure the floss string to be 18 to 24 inches. This is to make sure the floss is long enough to wrap around your finger 2 to 3 times. You want it to be 18 to 24 inches long to make sure your pointer fingers are not irritated from wrapping the floss around your pointer fingers. Once you start to get used to the lengths of the dental floss you will not need to keep measuring the floss out.

After measuring out the floss string, wrap it around the pointer fingers 2 to 3 times. The reason to wrap the floss around the pointer fingers 2 to 3 times is so the person flossing will have better control over directing the string where to go. Then start in a certain area in the mouth. It is key to start in the same area every time flossing to prevent missing spots

Once finding an area in the mouth, start “see-sawing” or sliding the floss back and forth. “See- Sawing” between the teeth is what is recommended to prevent popping the floss into the gums because it will cause irritation. Do not want to rush sliding the floss between the teeth because the floss could get caught on something and cause the floss to rip. It is important to take your time with this step.

While “see-sawing” the floss continues to make the letter C around the neighboring teeth. The neighboring teeth mean the teeth that are next to the area between the teeth. When I say make a C shape around the tooth, only do it halfway. Once the floss is in between the teeth and moves the floss up and down slowly to make the C shape.

Continue this process for every tooth in the mouth. Once down with flossing every tooth, dispense the string into the trash and brush the teeth. The reason being for brushing the teeth after flossing is because flossing gets rid of the bad plaque letting the fluoride from the toothpaste go directly on the tooth. Fluoride helps to make the teeth stronger and healthier while plaque is a sticky, colorless bacteria that builds up around the gumline.