Flossing Firsts – A Beginners Guide
Are you new to flossing? Don’t worry! In this article we cover the whole topic so you feel ready to take your oral hygiene to the next level.
One in three adults in the UK have never flossed or cleaned interdentally. This is likely something to do with the fact that flossing isn’t necessarily as heavily recommended during the formative years as brushing is.
In America, nearly 50% of the population floss at least once per day, but in the UK, we just don’t seem to have this important aspect of oral health nailed just yet.
The good news is that flossing is on the up in the UK and you can boost those numbers by starting your own flossing routine. It’s a really great addition to an oral hygiene regime and here at Abbey Road Dental, we recommend all our patients start flossing even if they never have before. It’s never too late to start!
If you’re new to flossing this beginners guide will help you get a great understanding of what it is, how to do it and why you should start doing it:
So, What Is Flossing?
Flossing is the act of using a special type of tape, called floss, to clean inbetween the teeth and a little under the gum line of the teeth. It removes debris like food and plaque from between the teeth, reducing the chance of gum disease and tooth decay. It also disturbs any bacteria present, helping to decrease the chance of them causing inflammation and gum irritation.
Key Benefits Of Flossing:
- Plaque removal
- Fresh breath
- Cavity risk reduction
- Gum disease management/prevention
- Potential boost to heart health
How Do You Floss Properly?
One of the easiest ways to learn how to floss is to have a hygienist appointment at Abbey Road Dental. Our hygienists are hugely experienced in gum health and they can help you learn how to floss gently and effectively. For areas you can’t reach well, they can use special tools to deep clean the gums and teeth so that your oral hygiene stays in great shape. By knowing how to brush and floss properly, you can also maintain fantastic oral health between appointments at our NW8 St John’s Wood clinic.
If you want to start trying to floss right away, the method is really easy.
- You simply get a piece of dental floss about 20 inches long and wind it around your middle fingers until you have a taut section in the middle about two inches long.
- You then use your other fingers and your thumbs to position the floss in the best way to move it between the teeth.
- You should push it or pull it against a tooth (depending on the starting tooth) and move it left to right and down until you reach the gum line, where you then curve it around the tooth and clean inbetween the space between the gums and teeth.
- Don’t go too far down, as this can damage the gum. Once you have reached a point a little below the gum line (you will feel a natural stopping point) you should slowly move left to right rubbing the floss back up and out. You then tie that used piece of floss up and use a fresh piece to work on the next section of tooth. Each side of each tooth (aside from the back of wisdom teeth you can’t reach) should be flossed.
Common Flossing Questions:
There are lots of flossing questions that are commonly asked by beginners. To help you, here are the answers to a few of the most common flossing questions:
When Should You Floss?
Abbey Road Dental recommends you floss once a day before you brush your teeth but only once, whereas you should be brushing twice.
What Is The Best Type Of Floss?
There are all kinds of different types of floss. Waxed, expanding, eco-friendly – the selection can be overwhelming. If you’d like our recommendations for floss, we can discuss this with you at your next checkup or hygienist appointment. Otherwise, try different types and see which suits you the best – everybody is different and you have to be comfortable with what you choose to use.
What About Teepee Brushes And Interdental Brushes?
There are lots of different types of brushes and equipment used for oral hygiene. Often, these kinds of brushes are used to clean between the teeth or in hard to reach areas, like between wisdom teeth and the back of the mouth. However, it is only floss that gets below the gum line so it should be the main tool you use for cleaning your teeth and gums in this way. The only exception to the rule is a water flosser, which some people like to use instead of standard floss. Our hygienist can discuss water flossers and other dental tools with you at your appointment if you want to know more. It is a great thing that there are so many tools available to help you care for your teeth in the most effective and comfortable way.
My Teeth Are Wonky – Can I Floss?
When you have misaligned teeth, flossing is so important, but it is also much more difficult. The best thing to do is let our hygienist help you find ways to floss around your misaligned teeth. They can also help clean the teeth and gums for you in those hard to reach areas, so that you aren’t missing any areas because the teeth are misaligned and floss just can’t do the best job cleaning the plaque, despite your best efforts. If you’d like to discuss straightening your teeth for easier oral hygiene and a boost in confidence, please speak to our team about our various teeth straightening options for adults and children.
Are You Ready To Floss Your Way To A Healthier Smile?
Hopefully you’re feeling prepared and ready to get a healthy, clean smile by adding flossing to your oral hygiene regime.
If you need further advice or guidance please speak to our NW8 team about a hygienist appointment. We’re here to help you take the very best care of your teeth between appointments so that you can enjoy the healthiest, happiest smile every day of the year!