Any good dentist will tell you that flossing your teeth at least once a day is critical to maintaining proper oral hygiene. However, many people don’t understand how to floss, and therefore neglect this step in their daily routine. Below is a step-by-step guide to flossing your teeth to help you master this important habit.

5 Dentist-Approved Steps for Proper Flossing

1. Prepare Floss

The first step in proper flossing is to grab your floss and break off approximately 18 inches. Wind a majority of it around one middle finger. Then wind the rest of it around the middle finger on the opposite hand. As the floss gets dirty, move it from the first finger to the other so that you’re working with a clean section. 

2. Ready Your Hands

Next, make sure the ends of the floss are held taut between your forefingers and thumbs. This will give you enough tension to work the floss into even the tightest sections. 

3. Begin Gently

Once you’ve ensured a good grip on the floss, begin guiding it between your teeth. Be gentle, slow and methodical here, encouraging the floss between your teeth with a back and forth motion. Never force the floss into your gums, as you could break the delicate skin and cause bleeding. 

4. Work It Out

Once the floss has wiggled its way between your teeth and reached your gum line, curve it tightly around one side of the tooth. Gently rub the tooth up and down, buffing the sides and around the base. Don’t forget to do the opposite side of each tooth.

5. Toss It

After you’ve completed the above steps and successfully flossed around your entire mouth, throw the used floss in the trash can. Once it’s been used, it will carry bacteria that you don’t want to reintroduce to your mouth by reusing an old piece. 

Looking for dedicated and professional dental care in your area? Dentist Chris Macri and his team of hygienists at Macri Dental in Denver, CO, are here for you. From general to cosmetic dentistry, they handle procedures such as dental crowns, dental implants, fillings, and Invisalign® fittings. This friendly dentist and his team will provide a comforting and informative experience that will leave you feeling confident. Give them a call today at (303) 694-0585 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit their website for customer reviews and additional information about their services.