Most of us understand the importance of brushing, but flossing tends to get overlooked. If you don’t already floss daily, now is the time to start!
About flossing
Flossing is the practice of using dental floss to clean your mouth. After brushing, you can use floss or dental tape to target areas that you can’t brush, such as the cracks and gaps between your teeth. Flossing is very simple and quick, and it can have a very positive impact on your oral health.
How to floss
Flossing can take a little getting used to, but once you’re a flossing pro, it will become second nature. Firstly, take a piece of dental floss, and then guide it through the gap between your teeth. Repeat this with new pieces of floss until you have cleaned every gap. When you’re flossing, take care not to tug at the tape or be too aggressive. If you pull at the floss, you can hurt your gums.
If you’re having trouble with flossing, your dental hygienist or dentist can help. You could also consider using inter-dental brushes, which are tiny hand-held brushes that are used to clean between the teeth.
Is it normal for the gum to bleed when you brush?
If you’ve never flossed before, you may find that your gums bleed the first couple of times. However, bleeding should not be a common occurrence. If you have bleeding gums and you’ve been flossing for a while, see your dentist. Bleeding can be a sign of gum disease, and it’s best to get symptoms like this checked out. If you do have gum disease, treating it in the early stages is much easier than managing advanced gum disease, and it’ll prevent you from experiencing pain.
Call us today if you have any oral hygiene queries or you need some tips.