In order to achieve a great oral habit, we first must perform several dental habits throughout our days. One of these goes on par with brushing and greatly helps against gum disease: it is flossing.

In this article, we will provide you with information we have asked our Los Algodones dentists. As such, we will be tackling points such as: why it is important, which dental floss to use, how you should be flossing, as well as some alternatives for it to get you going.

Why it is important to start flossing

There are many benefits that bring daily brushing, for one it keeps your mouth clean and free from harmful bacteria.

Successfully keeping with this habit, and performing it well, will ultimately remove food particles and plaque buildup from between your teeth. This helps greatly against gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

Which dental floss should I pick?

A dental floss is an important tool to use, and since there are so many types out there, which one should we pick? It is important to start with the basics, then you can try out what works best for you.

Usually, you will be seeing two types of dental floss: waxed or unwaxed nylon(multifilament), and  unwaxed Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

For starters, we recommend a waxed nylon one. The wax helps you making the flossing process smoother, as it avoids you from getting hurt. Then, after you nail down the basics of flossing, you can try an unwaxed one, which will typically be thinner.

How you should be flossing

Here, we will provide you with some bullet points by dentists in Los Algodones to help you through the process. Flossing is easy once you get the hang of it:

• Start with about 18 inches of dental floss. Gently wind it around your middle or index fingers. This will be helping you clean each segment between your tooth as you move through the floss.
• Use 1 or 2 inch segments of floss for each use between your teeth. You will be using the tip of your index fingers to help you manipulate the floss.
• Use a gentle zigzag motion to go between each and every tooth, even the back ones! Remember to not apply much force, as the thread can snap and hurt you.
• You will be doing this with every tooth, make sure to arch it against them to get the most of plaque.

Flossing alternatives

If you, or a someone you know, finds this task difficult to perform, there are always alternatives to try. For example, there are hand-held flossers, such as floss picks. Floss picks are small plastic hand-held devices that hold a tiny segment of floss.

There is also water flossers and interdental brushes that can further help with the task. Water flossers help getting rid of food particles and plaque with a steady jet of water. Interdental brushes, on the other hand, are just like a tooth brush, but with a tip with small brushes perfect for sliding between your teeth.

Considering the alternatives is important when for improving your oral health. Here in Los Algodones we have the best English-speaking professionals at cheap prices.