Dentist's Guide on How to Floss

December 16, 2009

Are you looking for information about how to floss your teeth? Maybe flossing is something you don’t remember to do very often, but you want to get better at so that you can enjoy the lifelong benefits of a healthy smile. Patients of Columbus dentist, Dr. Scott Schumann, at Grove City Dental know that he cares about helping you keep your teeth and gums looking their best with frequent flossing.

Flossing 101

Using the proper tooth flossing technique is an important aspect of your oral care. While sometimes people think that brushing alone is adequate for maintaining good oral health, it doesn’t get deep down into the gumline which is where food and plaque can hide. In addition, flossing has other added health benefits which may surprise you.

There are a wide range of dental floss products available out there today; however the methods for flossing are essentially the same. Flossing every day can improve your health and keep cavities and dental filings away. Please read on to learn how to floss the right way and take care of those healthy teeth so that you can keep them for a long time!

How to Use Dental Floss

When you visit Grove City Dental, you can expect to be shown how to floss your teeth and gums the right way by Dr. Schumann and his caring team of dental hygienists. But just in case you want to practice at home, here’s how to use dental floss.

Grab your dental floss and tear off a nice long piece about 18 inches long. Wrap each end around your middle-finger and grasp with your thumbs. Place the dental floss between your teeth working from the middle to each side, first on your top row and then your bottom. Make sure to keep the dental floss taut and touching the gum line, but not too hard or you will make your gums sore. Move the floss back and forth to dig out any food particles and remove plaque. Once you are finished, throw away the dental floss and rinse your mouth with a plaque removing mouthwash or plain water to flush out any leftover debris.

The Many Benefits of Flossing

Did you know that daily flossing is beneficial to both your teeth and your overall health? Flossing your teeth removes harmful plaque which can easily turn into tooth decay, gum disease and bone loss. Studies have also shown a link between dental plaque buildup and heart disease which can result in heart attacks and strokes. No one wants to develop a serious health condition when it can easily be prevented by taking a few extra minutes each day to use dental floss.

By flossing every day, you will greatly improve your health and improve the appearance of your teeth and gums. While brushing your teeth is important, it only really gets at the surface of your teeth while flossing gets all those hard to reach places that are the foundation of healthy oral care. Removing the plaque prevents gum disease which occurs when plaque builds up and causes the gums to become infected and teeth to loosen or fall out. Consider flossing as your defense against having to undergo expensive dental implant surgery.

Let Grove City Dental Teach You How to Floss

If you need help with learning how to floss your teeth properly, be sure to schedule a visit with Dr. Schumann at Grove City Dental in Grove City, Ohio. He and his capable staff of caring dental professionals are ready to help you attain better oral health through regular dental care and flossing.

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Trade Association Memberships: Columbus Dental Society, Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology