Many people often don’t floss as frequently as they should. Common reasons people don’t floss regularly are because it’s difficult or too time consuming. However, our team at Mountain Aire Dentistry is here to help by sharing a step-by-step guide on how to make flossing a more seamless part of your daily dental hygiene routine. 

Prioritizing your oral health is just as important as prioritizing eating healthy or getting adequate exercise. If you’re ready to improve your oral hygiene routine, flossing is a good way to start. 

Why You Need to Floss 

Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, you still need to floss your teeth. Flossing is a way to maintain good dental hygiene because it allows you to clean food and other particles that get stuck between the teeth — areas where your toothbrush can’t reach on it’s own. You can always find an extra minute or two in your day to floss your teeth. MouthHealthy, a blog by the American Dental Association, explains that you should be flossing at least once a day. It doesn’t matter when you do it, as it is purely preference, as long as you are getting it done. They suggest choosing a time of the day that you can squeeze in a few extra minutes. People who become too tired by the end of the day may benefit from flossing first thing in the morning or midday. However, other people might like the feeling of going to bed with a fresh, clean mouth. 

Types of Floss

There are several different types of floss on the market. Here are the common options:

• Unwaxed floss, which is a thin nylon floss.
• Waxed floss, which is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating.
• Dental tape, which is broader and flatter than standard floss. 
• Flavored floss, which can be good for children. 
• Disposable dental flossers, which can be easier to use. 
• Water flossers, which could be beneficial to people with orthodontics that find flossing with thread difficult. 

How to Floss

Healthline explains step-by-step how to floss, with and without braces:

Without braces:

1. First break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. To properly hold the floss, wind most of it around the middle fingers on both of your hands. Leave only about 1 to 2 inches of floss unwinded for your teeth.
2. Next, hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
3. Gently glide the dental floss between two teeth. Slowly move it up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Be careful not to hit your gums, as this can scratch or bruise them. 
4. Before you get to the gumline, cube the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C-shape. This will help the floss enter the space between the gums and the tooth.
5. Repeat the steps as they go from tooth to tooth. With each new tooth, wind the flow to use a new, clean section of floss.

With braces:

Flossing with braces can be a little more complicated and takes a little more time than flossing without them, but it’s just as important. 

1. Again, break off 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss.
2. Stand in front of a mirror so you can watch where the floss is going.
3. Thread the floss between your teeth and the main wire. Twist the loose ends of the floss around our index fingers so you can move the floss around easily.
4. Press the floss between the teeth gently, moving it up and down the sides of the teeth.
5. On the top teeth, try to make an upside-down U with the floss. To do this, go up the side of one tooth until you get near the gums. Then, slide the floss down the other side of the tooth.
6. Gently remove the floss and carefully unthread it from behind the wire. Avoid popping the floss out of your tooth, as you could dislodge a wire.
7. Now, move on to the next two teeth and follow the same steps. 

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry 

If you are due for a teeth cleaning, or just want to have a dental checkup, make an appointment with Dr. Chris Bockrath and Mountain Aire Dentistry today. Our team is passionate about helping our patients achieve and maintain a beautiful smile. Our doctors and staff will make your dental care an easy, relaxed process and listen to your concerns while addressing your needs. We invite you to learn more about us and make an appointment with us today!