Flossing is an important part of your dental hygiene regimen. Even if you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time twice a day, you are still leaving a great deal of the surfaces of your teeth untouched, and the areas between your teeth are great places for plaque and food debris to accumulate and cause tooth decay and gum disease.
The type of floss is you use is up to you, but you should talk to our dentists, Drs. Joseph Opack, David Opack, or Peter Stanton about what type will work best for you. Waxed floss can be easier to slide between your teeth than unwaxed, and monofilament floss is less prone to shredding than the nylon varieties. You can also use floss flavored with cinnamon or mint, and there are even brands of floss that contain ingredients to fight gum disease.
You want to start with about 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around each of your middle fingers. Hold it about one to two inches between your thumbs and forefingers, and wrap the floss into the shape of “c” around each tooth. Start with the back teeth and work your way to the front teeth. Floss your upper teeth, followed by your bottom teeth. Floss under and then away from the gum line. Remember that you need to use a fresh section of floss for each tooth, and to throw away the floss when you are finished. Re-using floss will only spread bacteria and food debris around your mouth.
If you have questions about dental floss in St. Paul, Minnesota, or if it is time for your regular appointment, we will be happy to see you at St. Paul Family Dentistry. Please call 651-488-5522 today to plan your visit with our experienced team!