Daily flossing is highly recommended, because plaque build-up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Proper flossing removes plaque and food particles under the gumline and between your teeth.
Five Steps to Flossing Your Teeth
- Start with 12-18 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two of floss to work with.
- Hold the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers and 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 gumline.
- Use new, clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
- To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth.