eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Floss Your Teeth Every Day

Member
By christianmom
User-Submitted Article
(0 Ratings)
Dental Floss
Dental Floss
Stock.xchng

Flossing your teeth is an important part of daily dental care. It helps remove plaque that can build up between your teeth and cause cavities. Flossing should be done once a day, and it is not something that you should skimp on or miss. Remembering to floss can often be a problem. Here are the steps to flossing correctly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Dental floss
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  1. Step 1

    Brush your teeth well. It is best to begin by brushing your teeth very well. This can help loosen anything that may be stuck in between your teeth that only floss can get to. Proper brushing requires the right size of toothbrush, as well as the correct firmness. There are many toothbrushes available today that are battery powered and some are even ultrasonic. It doesn't matter which brush you use, as long as it gets your teeth clean.

  2. Step 2

    Use the right floss. There are a couple of different types of floss available. Waxed floss contains a waxy coating to help ease the pressure needed to get the floss between your teeth. This is usually what is recommended by dentists. However, some people prefer to use the unwaxed kind. There are different flavors available as well.

  3. Step 3

    Use the correct length of floss. You need a piece of floss that is long enough to wrap around your fingers a couple times. This will make it easier to move the floss between your teeth. It also keeps it from slipping out of your fingers.

  4. Step 4

    Use the correct technique. Make sure you are using the proper technique when it comes to flossing your teeth. You can easily cut your gum if you go down too far in between the teeth. This can cause bleeding and soreness. Don't go to the bottom of the teeth unless you are comfortable that you can control the floss without causing damage to your gums.

  5. Step 5

    Have a pattern. Make sure you practice the same pattern when you floss your teeth. This is important so you do not miss any spaces between the teeth.

  6. Step 6

    Remember to floss every day. There are a couple of ways to remember to floss. You might tie a small piece of floss on the handle of your toothbrush or place the floss right next to the toothpaste. If you still have difficulty remembering, write yourself a note and stick it on the mirrors. It generally takes 21 days to form a habit. Try it and see.

Tips & Warnings
  • Flossing is very important to your dental health.
  • Make sure you do whatever it takes to remember to floss every day.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Health Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

Live Strong Partner
Livestrong_eHow Health