Make Time To Floss Every Day – Here’s How [Diagram]

According to a survey, 75% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss their teeth. Another survey shows that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% never floss. Flossing is even more important than brushing when it comes to preventing gum disease and tooth loss.

There are many types of floss available. Chose one that is right for your teeth. If you have very tight contacts between your teeth, or the floss snags or breaks while flossing, look for a waxed floss or one sold under the name of “Glide.” If you are a patient of Scarsdale Dental Spa, ask us for help in picking out a floss that will work best for your needs.

There are other options available such as Stim-U-Dents or Soft-Picks that can be used besides or instead of floss. You can use a floss holder (disposable Y-shaped device). Use whatever it takes to make it easier for you.

Make time to floss everyday. If you are too tired to floss before going to bed, floss in the morning or in the afternoon after lunch. Some people keep floss in the car and floss when stuck in traffic.

Here is how the American Dental Association describes the process of flossing correctly:

Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around the other middle finger.
Grasp the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, and use a gentle shoeshine motion to guide it between teeth.
When the floss reaches the gum line, form a C shape to follow the contours of the tooth.
Hold the floss firmly against the tooth, and move the floss gently up and down.
Repeat with the other tooth, and then repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth (“unspooling” fresh sections of floss as you go along).

Stop into Scarsdale Dental Spa and ask us to show you how to floss and take proper care of your teeth.