Your dentist can immediately tell whether you’ve been flossing regularly. It makes a significant difference to your gum health and is a simple and low-cost way to practice dental care at home. You’ll get the most benefit from flossing, however, by following certain guidelines.

Cincinnati family dentistry Lowitz & Meier explains a few best practices for flossing that will clean the spaces between your teeth and minimize bleeding:

• Don’t “Saw”: One of the most common mistakes people make when flossing is performing a “sawing” motion between teeth. Do not floss like this, as it causes more harm than good — it could damage your gums and cause bleeding.

• Floss Daily: If you only floss once every few weeks, your gums are going to bleed. But if you commit to doing it once a day, your gums will grow accustomed to it and have a chance to strengthen themselves.

• Delicacy Is Key: Like brushing, effective flossing is not measured by how hard you do it. If you’re too aggressive, the extra bleeding will make you more susceptible to infection. The best way to benefit from flossing is to wrap the floss around your tooth and gently run it up and down. Your family dentistry can demonstrate the proper technique at your next visit.

• Clean The Hidden Areas: If you have periodontal disease, cleaning hidden or hard-to-reach spots may be easier said than done. With periodontal disease, your gums create extra “pockets” around your teeth, making it especially challenging to remove all plaque and food remnants. Regular brushing, patient and gentle flossing, and professional dental care will help you clean these areas.

• Use Mouth Rinse: After flossing, a good way to finish the job is with a mouth rinse. A product like Listerine or a simple saltwater rinse should do the trick. The latter is a sensible option if your gums are prone to bleeding after flossing.

Looking for a family dentistry in Cincinnati? To schedule an appointment with Lowitz & Meier, give the local dentist office a call at (513) 521-8900. You can also message them through their web form.