Proper Flossing Technique

When you come in for your bi-annual checkups, Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos DDS can tell if you haven’t been flossing daily. There are many reasons why people don’t floss, but the biggest issue is that most never learned to floss properly. That’s why our staff here at All Coast Dental are going to outline proper flossing technique, along with a few tips.

 

The biggest mistake you can make it not flossing daily. Flossing is just as important as brushing. Only through flossing can you clean and reach certain areas of your mouth. Just integrating flossing once a day can make a world of a difference in your dental health.

 

It’s not difficult to correct your flossing behavior. The first step is making sure you have enough floss. Take out about 18 inches of floss from the package. Tie one end around each of your middle fingers. With one finger, twirl the floss towards it to cycle out the dirty floss. The other finger will cycle in the clean floss. Next, hold the floss firm and guide it between your teeth. Try not to snap the floss in. This will just hurt you. Wrap the floss around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Move the floss up and down in a rubbing motion. Repeat for all of your teeth.

 

If you have problems reaching tighter areas of your mouth, there are various solutions. The majority of grocery stores and supermarkets sell handheld flossing applicators. These small devices can be used to reach the tight or back areas of your mouth. For tight gaps between teeth, floss comes in a variety of thicknesses. Buying a thinner floss or a floss made of a different material can help.

 

All Coast Dental is located in Pacific Beach, CA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Julie Boulos DDS and Joseph Boulos DDS, visit our website or call 858-270-4904.

 

The Proper Flossing Technique

There is a right way and a wrong way to do something and the same method applies to flossing. Every six months when you visit our staff at All Coast Dental for a professional cleaning, you’re likely to hear a lecture on flossing. More importantly, we are more likely to hear excuses about why you aren’t doing so.  Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush cannot easily reach – under the gum line and between your teeth. If you’re curious about the proper flossing technique, follow these tips!

• Starting with about 18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.


• Holding the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth.


• Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line.


• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

If you have further questions about oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4909.