🧵 How to Properly Floss Your Teeth and Why It’s Important

Let’s Talk About Flossing 🦷

We’ve all been there: “Don’t forget to floss!” But to be honest, how many of us actually floss every day? If you are like most people, you might not floss because it seems like a boring task, or you are not quite sure if you are doing it the right way.

Here’s the thing: flossing is just as necessary as brushing—if not more so. Brushing only gets rid of the plaque on the surfaces of your teeth, flossing cleans the areas between your teeth where a toothbrush is not able to reach. Not flossing on a regular basis may lead to cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath. 😬

Therefore, let’s go through the correct way to floss and explain why it’s so important to your smile. And don’t worry—we will also have some convenient tips from Lema Dental Clinic that will help you achieve your flossing habit.

🦷 Why Is Flossing So Important?

Perhaps, you might ask—why do I need to floss if I brush regularly? In fact, it is a matter of plaque.

Plaque refers to a slimy film of bacteria that attaches itself to our teeth. Brushing only takes care of the surfaces of our teeth. Flossing, on the other hand, removes deposits and bits of food from the areas between the teeth and the gumline, where the toothbrush cannot reach.

If you do not floss, the plaque will go on to become tartar, which will then result in gum disease (gingivitis) and tooth decay. 😷

These are the things that occur when you do not floss:

• Plaque buildup leads to tooth decay and cavities.
• Gum disease begins as gingivitis and may become periodontitis if not treated.
• Halitosis is the bad breath which is able to come out due to bacteria that are stucked in the place between your teeth and the gums.

Using a dental floss always will help to prevent these diseases and in the same time will be a proof of the healthy condition of your mouth. 🌟

🧵 How to Properly Floss Your Teeth

Once you have been convinced of the importance of flossing, the next step is learning the proper way of doing it. It is really quite easy, but there are some small details that can make it more effective.

1. 🧻 Choose the Right Floss

Various types of floss have been manufactured and the one that suits you the best depends on your conditions. The main alternatives are:

• Traditional dental floss: It is a thin band that you insert between the teeth.
• Floss picks: It is a ready-made floss on a stick, that is easy if you are not able to wrap the floss around your fingers.
• Super floss: It is a more voluminous floss which is for dental braces or any kind of dental work.
• Floss threaders: Aids the persons with braces and implants for the opening location.

Lema Tip: If the spaces between your teeth are tight and you want to slide the floss more easily, waxed floss is the one you should go for, while unwaxed floss may feel more grippy in case of better cleaning.

2. 🦷 Get the Right Length

The first step you should take is to cut a dental floss that is around 45 cm (18 inches) in length. In this way you can have enough to work with and you can also change the section of floss for each tooth.

3. 🧵 Wrap the Floss Around Your Fingers

Wrap most of the floss around your middle fingers and hold the floss with your thumbs and index fingers. You’ll want about 1–2 inches of floss between your hands so you can use a clean section for each tooth. 👍

4. 🦷 Slide the Floss Between Your Teeth Gently

After that, you should softly insert the floss between your teeth by using a back-and-forth movement. Don’t quite wrap the floss around your gums because this can cause both injury and irritation to you.

5. 🧼 Make a C Shape Around Each Tooth

When you have the floss between your teeth, go ahead and wrap the floss around the side of the tooth in a C-shape. Gently floss up and down along the sides of the tooth and under the gum to eliminate plaque and food particles. Repeat this process for every tooth, where you use a clean part of the floss for each tooth. 🦷

6. 🦷 Don’t Forget the Back Teeth!

Molars, or back teeth, are usually the hardest to get at, but nevertheless, they should be flossed just like the rest. Ensure that the floss is placed between the back molars and that the gumline around these teeth is also cleaned.

7. 🧴 Rinse with Mouthwash

Once you have flossed, use an antimicrobial mouthwash and rinse your mouth with it. The purpose of this is to kill the bacteria that are left, and at the same time, it gives you a fresh breath. This is like a second shield for your gums and teeth. 💧

🦷 How Often Should You Floss?

At least once a day, ideally before sleeping, flossing is the right time for you to get rid of any food particles and plaque that have built up throughout the day. It is particularly significant for the night time because it removes bacteria and plaque that have accumulated after meals.

Lema Tip: Flossing before bed ensures that your teeth are clean and protected overnight, which is when your body naturally works on healing and repairing your gums and teeth.

🏥 Why Lema Dental Clinic Recommends Flossing

Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul is always stressing out the need for good and all around flossing. We have many reasons for enthusiastically endorsing flossing.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Flossing for a Healthy Smile

Among the many reasons to floss daily is that it is the easiest and most effective way to maintain healthy teeth and strong gums. Flossing is not just about removing the food particles trapped between your teeth, but it is also about preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Lema Dental Clinic is always there to assist you in taking care of your beautiful smile. The routine to remember: floss once a day, brush twice a day, and a visit to the dentist wraps up the care of our teeth and gums.

So, get your floss out and start your journey towards a smile that is both healthier and happier! 😁