Flossing removes plaque and food from between your teeth and around your gums, preventing tartar formation and bacteria buildup. If you don’t floss thoroughly enough, you’re exposed to dental conditions like tooth decay and gum disease. To protect your mouth and enjoy better dental hygiene, follow these three tips to improve your flossing habits.

How To Floss More Effectively

1. Perfect Your Technique

The benefits of flossing are directly linked to how effective your technique is. A common mistake is using a piece of floss that’s too short, which hinders your ability to reach each tooth. The ADA recommends using a piece at least 18 inches long. Another mistake is missing the bases of your teeth around your gums where gum disease develops. To get the most from flossing, floss each tooth just below the gum line, gently slipping the floss between the gum and tooth. 

2. Find Comfortable Alternatives

The crucial factor about flossing is that you do it every day, at least once a day. If you skip flossing because you don’t like the traditional way of doing it, find effective alternatives. Wax-coated floss is a reliable solution if you have problems with your current floss unraveling. If you have sensitive gums or find floss uncomfortable, consider switching to a water flosser, which uses pressurized water to remove food and plaque. Disposable dental picks with a small section of floss on a plastic handle are ideal for on-the-go use.

3. Seek Professional Guidance

If you aren’t seeing the results you want from flossing, speak with an experienced dentist about it. They’ll discuss your flossing technique, correct mistakes you might be making, and will check for issues that could be responsible for your concerns, such as excessive plaque production or tartar accumulation. Once problems have been identified, you’ll receive individualized recommendations to improve your dental hygiene, such as flossing alternatives or products that minimize plaque buildup.

Family and emergency dentist William D. Britton, DDS, MAGD in Chillicothe, OH, will provide expert oral care when your current dental hygiene routine isn’t enough. With over 35 years’ experience, this retired Navy dentist offers advanced services, including gum disease treatment, tissue and bone grafts, frenectomies, and other beneficial procedures. When urgent care is needed, he applies his experience to provide prompt and skilled care for oral trauma and dental emergencies. Learn more about dental hygiene practices and treatments on their website, and call (740) 772-2225 to schedule your appointment today.