Flossing Tips

Preventative Dentistry Redwood City

So what’s the real 4-1-1 on flossing? Flossing is important not only to help remove food that may be stuck between teeth, but also to help scrape and remove plaque that is otherwise left-over after cleaning. Flossing is important when remembering your oral health routine as it can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay that brushing alone might not clear. By being proactive with your flossing, you can avoid being one of the 27% of Americans who lies to their dentists about how often they floss – a lie dentists can easily spot as soon as you open your mouth!

Here are a few tips the ADA recommends about flossing:

Use about 18 inches of floss so that you can use new sections of floss as you move around your mouth.

Wrap the floss around your middle and index fingers, and glide the floss gently in between teeth, forming a ‘C’ shape firmly around each tooth. Use a gentle push-pull motion between teeth to remove any food or plaque stuck between teeth.

Repeat this process around each tooth, and use new sections of floss as you go.

Whatever your technique, remembering to floss every day is one of the best ways you can take care of your mouth! For more tips on flossing, or to schedule your next appointment with your Redwood City dentist Dr. Trinh, call 650-425-9299 today!