Why Scraping is Better for Flossing Than Sawing Motions
Posted on 9/21/2021 by Dr. Jae Seon Kim
One of the dirtiest places in your mouth is in between your teeth. Bacteria gather here easily as your toothbrush cannot reach these spaces. It is important to floss every day. However, there are several methods used to floss. Improper flossing could make matters worse. What is the proper way to remove food debris and plaque from in between your teeth?
How to Floss Your Teeth
It is important to remember the function of flossing. You are flossing your teeth to remove plaque from the surface of your tooth. In order to do so, the floss must scape the surface of your tooth. If you place the dental floss in between your teeth and gently glide the floss up and down against your tooth, you will remove the food debris and bacteria between your teeth. Make sure to rub the floss against both sides of each tooth. Be gentle with your gums, and do not glide the floss into your gums.
By scraping the floss against your teeth, you are maximizing the surface area to floss ratio. If you use a sawing motion between your teeth, you could be harming your gums. In addition, you are not scarping away the food debris or bacteria lurking between your teeth.
Make an Appointment
Give our office a call to make your next appointment. Even those who excel at brushing and flossing need a regular dental cleanings and exams every six months. Tartar builds up, in varying amounts, in every mouth. Tartar is best removed by a trained dental hygienist. You can be proactive with brushing and flossing to minimize tartar in your mouth. We look forward to helping you have a great smile for years to come, and are happy to show you how to brush and floss your teeth for maximum benefits.
One of the dirtiest places in your mouth is in between your teeth. Bacteria gather here easily as your toothbrush cannot reach these spaces. It is important to floss every day. However, there are several methods used to floss. Improper flossing could make matters worse. What is the proper way to remove food debris and plaque from in between your teeth?