Our Blog

Posts for tag: Oral Care and Flossing

5 Tips on How to Floss Properly

By Reno Laser Dentistry

January 11, 2012

Category: dental

Tags: Reno Laser Dentistry Reno Dentist Reno Dental Oral Care Dental Health Oral Care and Flossing

Previously we’ve discussed on how to brush your teeth properly, so what do you really know about flossing? Just like with brushing your teeth, flossing is also a technique. With daily brushing it’s essential to floss daily with each brushing session, but do you really floss? The next question would be do you floss properly?

According to the editor’s at the American Institute for Preventive Medicine; compiled a list of tips on how to floss properly that can fit into anyone’s daily brushing routine.

“For many of us, a quick tooth brushing session in the morning and the evening serves as the foundation of our home dental care strategy. However, unless you’ve got a fetish for fillings, brushing by itself is not enough.

If you’ve ever been to the dentist, you’ve undoubtedly been told that flossing is the prime defense against periodontal disease. It also fights caries and decay. You should floss after each meal or, at the very least, once a day.

As with brushing, technique is important, so here are some flossing tips:

Take an 18- to 24-inch length of floss, and wrap most of it around the index finger of one hand. Next, wrap all but about 4 inches around the index finger of the other hand.
Gripping the floss between the thumb and bent forefinger, slowly work the floss between two teeth with a gentle sawing motion. Never snap or force the floss in. As with brushing, start in the same place each time you floss (the rear molars are a good place to begin).
Gently scrape the floss around the tooth, going up into the gum line until you meet resistance. Work systematically in a C shape around each tooth.
Using your fingers like spools, unwrap a clean section of floss from the hand with unused floss, and spin the used portion onto the other finger. Move on to the next space.
Continue all the way around your mouth, using the same technique.”

You can read the full article at http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/oral-hygiene2.htm

Contact Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice located in Reno with any questions or to set-up an appointment.