Why should you know how to floss?
Most people in the United States brush their teeth every day and floss about as often. Only about 40% of Americans floss at least once a day, and 20% never practice this important habit.
Even though few Americans know how to properly floss, learning how to do it correctly is vital. Not flossing can lead to cavities as well as infection, as food that gets stuck between the teeth causes bacteria to grow and plaque to form on the teeth. Improper flossing can damage your gums and teeth; therefore, it is very important to learn and know how to floss correctly.
How to floss
The first thing you need to do is to cut off a suitable length of floss. Most dental professionals recommend between 18 and 24 inches. Wrap the thread around your middle fingers and hold. You should only leave about an inch or two free.
Next, pull the thread using your thumb and forefinger. Floss between your two teeth pull the floss up and down on both sides of your teeth. Be careful not to stick the floss against your gums, as this can bruise or scratch the gums. Instead, once it reaches your gums, curve it to form a C, this will allow the floss to clear the space between your teeth and gums.
Continue from one tooth to another. It is better to use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
Most dentists recommend flossing first and then brushing your teeth. This first cleans the food particles from between your teeth and with the help of a toothbrush, you can remove the food particles from your mouth. If you don’t do this, plaque and food will remain in your mouth and between your teeth. Flossing at least once a day is essential, and if you have many meals, you need to brush and floss more than once.
What floss should we use?
There is no complete and correct answer to this question! There are many different types of dental floss available in the market, and each one depends on your use. Some types of thread are easier to use in open spaces of the tooth, while others are used in tighter spaces. You can ask dentists in Canada about the best brand of dental floss to guide you better.