Daily flossing is an essential aspect of good dental care. The technique you use when flossing is equally important, as the right technique ensures you’re removing plaque from all the surfaces of your teeth. Because it can be easy to fall into bad habits, this guide explains common mistakes so you can avoid them in the future. 

What Not to Do While Flossing

1. Flossing More Than Once a Day

Flossing multiple times per day won’t make your teeth and gums any healthier. It can cause damage to gum tissues, and increase instances of redness, swelling, and bleeding. Flossing once before bedtime is best, since it will remove plaque that has built up on your teeth throughout the day. 

2. Neglecting Parts of Your Teeth

Along with flossing between the teeth, you must also floss on either side of each tooth. You can do so by forming the floss into the shape of a C to clean one side, then reversing the shape to clean the other side of the tooth.

Be sure to do this for every tooth to completely remove all plaque and bacteria. Also, don’t forget to floss along the gumline, which is a common hiding spot for plaque. 

3. Not Using Clean Sections of Floss as You Go

If you use the same section of floss over and over again, you could be transferring plaque from one tooth to another. Instead, use about 18 inches of floss so you have ample clean floss at your disposal. After cleaning one tooth, move on to the next clean section by wrapping the floss around your fingers. 

Preventative dental care is best to keep your teeth healthy for life. That is why Ronald W. Ristow, D.D.S., L.L.C. emphasizes the importance of brushing and flossing to his patients in Oconto Falls, WI. Whether you’re there for an exam or a dental procedure like a tooth extraction, you can look forward to a relaxed and soothing office environment. If you’re concerned about costs, they offer an affordable payment plan. Learn more about their services online or call (920) 846-3163 to schedule an appointment today. You can also stay up to date on the latest dental care news by texting JOIN to (920) 249-5938.