How and Why to Floss
The first line of defense against tooth decay has always been brushing your teeth. But it is impossible for a toothbrush to get perfectly between your teeth. That is why flossing is the second part of the one-two punch against plaque. Flossing can many times be more important than brushing in preventing cavities, because it gets the plaque and bacteria trapped between your teeth.
It is recommended by the ADA that you floss at least daily and for best results floss before you brush your teeth. Here are a few simple steps to flossing:
1. Hold a strand of floss between the thumb and index finger of each hand.
2. Using a sawing motion, pull the floss between two teeth at a time.
3. Curve the floss into one side of the tooth, like a scoop, and slide it up over the tooth.
4. Repeat this procedure for every tooth, including your back teeth.
Combing proper flossing with teeth brushing can make your next dental hygiene appointment a breeze.
