The beginning of the New Year is the best time to start healthy habits that help us become our best selves. This year, why not choose a routine that will improve your health and your smile: flossing daily! Dental floss can clean out plaque and bacteria from places that your toothbrush can’t reach, like between your teeth and just underneath your gumline. However, even though it’s a great way to prevent oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and more, flossing isn’t the most popular pastime. Here are some easy tips to get into the habit of flossing and how to make this part of your dental routine more effective and less annoying.
What is the Best Way to Floss My Teeth?
Although it may seem like a simple task, it’s important to ensure that your flossing technique is correct if you want it to be effective. You should be using a new strand of dental floss that’s about 18 inches long every session. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand and a small amount around the middle finger of your other hand, which will take up more floss as it becomes dirty. Pinch the floss between your thumbs and forefingers and carefully guide the 1 to 2-inch-long section between your teeth.
Curve the floss into a C shape and gently rub the length of each tooth, including the small space where it meets your gum tissue. Repeat the process wherever two teeth are touching, including your back molars. It’s natural to experience some tenderness and light bleeding if you haven’t flossed in a while, but you may be flossing to hard if your mouth continues to hurt after a week or so of regular flossing.
How Can I Make Regular Flossing a Habit?
Here are some simple tips to make flossing a regular part of your dental routine:
- Use the product that makes it the easiest and most comfortable for you, whether that’s fine, waxed, or flavored floss, or a tool like a floss pick.
- Remind yourself to floss with a post it note on your mirror, an alarm on your phone, or simply by putting the container somewhere you’ll see it, like on top of your toothpaste.
- Make flossing a game by keeping track of your progress on a calendar or notebook and reward yourself when you reach your goals.
You can make 2020 the year you get a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful smile. Use these simple tips to make flossing more effective, less annoying, and a regular part of your dental care routine!
About the Practice
Byars Dental in Kansas City, MO is dedicated to helping you and your family enjoy a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles. To help prevent small problems from becoming larger issues, Dr. Michael C. Byars suggests getting a dental checkup every six months. This way, he can identify and treat oral health issues before they cause any discomfort or damage, as well as review your at-home dental hygiene habits. He’d be happy to help you hone your flossing technique or answer your questions, so feel free to contact him at his website or (816) 781-8222.