When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy, brushing isn't enough. Flossing is an essential part of teeth cleaning, which is why dentists across the country recommend it and why they may even provide floss for you to use. Here's what you need to know to floss correctly and keep your smile in top condition.

Why Dentists Want You to Floss

Your mouth is home to bacteria, which can form sticky plaque on teeth. If you don’t disrupt the plaque regularly, it may harden into tartar, providing shelter for more bacteria on your teeth’s enamel and against your gumline. The bacteria then secrete acid that damages your enamel and can cause cavities and eventually gum disease.

Brushing removes plaque from most of your teeth, but it can't reach the tight spaces between them. However, narrow dental floss can. Flossing daily prevents cavities and gum irritation between your teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach.

Techniques & Materials for Effective Flossing

If you have gaps between your teeth, a wider floss or dental tape is ideal; it will say “extra wide” or “extra thick” on the package. However, if you have tight gaps between your teeth, choose waxed dental floss.

Once you have floss, cut off about eighteen inches. Wrap the two loose ends around your middle fingers. Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss into the gap between two teeth. Pull the floss tight against one tooth, so that it forms a C-shape, and run it up and down the side of the tooth to beneath the gumline. Then, pull the floss against the opposite tooth and do the same. After that, move to a clean section of floss and insert it into the next gap. Clean between every pair of teeth.

For a quality family dentistry practice in the Columbus area, choose Augusto S. Fojas, DDS. Based in Westerville, OH, he and his team have years of experience providing quality care. They focus on continuing education for the entire staff so that you get the most up-to-date care, and they also add new technologies and treatments whenever possible, including a dental laser. Call (614) 882-0275 to make an appointment with the dentist, or learn more about their advanced treatment options on their website.