Good and Correct Way of Flossing Teeth
Flossing or flossing is as important as brushing your teeth. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how flossing correct. Instead of removing plaque that is stuck between your teeth, try flossing the wrong one causes the problem. So, how do you floss your teeth? Check out the guide below.
Why is it important to floss your teeth?
Brushing your teeth is a ritual that must be done every day. If you are not diligent in brushing your teeth, food debris and plaque will continue to accumulate on your teeth. The more plaque, the higher your risk of experiencing various dental problems, one of which is caries or cavities.
However, brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough to make your teeth really clean. Another thing you need to do is floss your teeth, aka flossing.
Flossing can remove plaque and food debris stuck between your teeth, which is more difficult to reach with a regular brush. In fact, most tooth decay often starts in that area.
That is why it is important for you to use dental floss to clean your mouth after brushing your teeth.
Preparations before flossing tooth
For maximum results, you need to make preparations beforehand flossing.
The first thing to prepare is dental floss. It is important to understand that the thread used to clean teeth is different from sewing thread. You can buy dental floss or dental floss at a pharmacy, drugstore, or supermarket.
On store shelves, you may find dental floss in a wide variety of brands, colors, and forms of packaging. Make sure you choose a good quality type of dental floss.
In general, there are two types of floss that are commonly used to clean teeth. Includes nylon multifilament) and PTFE (monofilame). These two types of yarn are basically of the same good quality.
However, yarn made from monofilame is more widely used because it is more slippery. That way, you will find it easier to move the floss between the teeth.
The correct way of flossing your teeth
Flossing teeth should not be done carelessly. You have to understand the form in the right way.
So, so that your teeth are clean free of stains and food scraps, take a close look at how to properly floss your teeth below.
Step 1
Take about 45 cm of dental floss and then wrap the thread around your middle fingers.
Step 2
Hold the remaining floss tightly with your thumb and forefinger.
Step 3
Gently, insert the dental floss between the teeth. It’s a good idea to floss your teeth in front of a mirror. That way you can see exactly where the floss is inserted.
Step 4
You can start with the front or back teeth. Then move the thread up and down slowly. Moving the thread too hard will only wound and bleed your gums.
Step 5
When touching the area close to the gum, circle the floss to the side of the tooth, forming a letter “C”. Gently rub the thread in an up and down motion. Repeat this method between the other teeth.
When all parts of the teeth have been cleaned, immediately rinse your mouth to rinse your teeth. Next, throw the threads in the trash. Threads that have been used before will not be effective for cleaning between your teeth.
In addition, using used dental floss actually makes bacteria multiply in the mouth.
What needs to be done after flossing tooth
The American Dental Association says flossing before and after brushing your teeth is actually just as good. So, no need to bother thinking about when is the best time to do it flossing.
What is important is that you clean between your teeth properly every day. If you don’t have time flossing in the morning, clean your teeth at night before going to bed.
Remember, the main function of flossing is to clean between teeth that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. So, make sure you are also diligent in brushing your teeth every day.
Hello Health Group and Hello Sehat do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please check our editorial policy page for more detailed information.
How to Floss Your Teeth. (2019). Mouthhealthy.org. Retrieved 21 August 2021, from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing-steps
A Step-By-Step Guide to Flossing Your Teeth Correctly. (2019). Verywell Health. Retrieved 21 August 2021, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-floss-your-teeth-correctly-1058984
Cold, F., Health, E., Disease, H., Disease, L., Management, P., & Conditions, S. et al. (2019). The Right Way to Floss. WebMD. Retrieved 21 August 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/your-smile-flossing#1
