Wellness Tips | 18 February, 2021

Do you clean between your teeth?

Flossing - it’s not an added extra, and it’s all in the technique!

Do you clean your teeth twice a day? Great. What about cleaning between your teeth?

Did you know that if you are solely relying on brushing, you’re not cleaning a large portion of your teeth? By removing the plaque from between your teeth, you’re helping to prevent gum disease, tooth decay and halitosis, otherwise known as “bad breath”. Flossing (dentists call it interdental cleaning) is an essential part of caring for your teeth and gums, and is definitely not just a “nice to have” added extra.

So, even if you floss – are you doing it right? You might be surprised to know there is actually a technique to this seemingly basic task. Your dentist is the most qualified person to instruct you on flossing correctly but there are some basic tips you can follow:

  1. Wind approx. 45cm of floss around your middle fingers and rest it across your thumbs and index fingers.
  2. Use a gentle up-and-down motion that goes down one side of the tooth, just under the little collar of gum and then back up the other side.
  3. If you don’t like using floss, consider using other interdental cleaning aids such as a floss threader, or bottle brushes (such as Piksters) instead.
Dental floss

If you're not sure about the right technique, have a chat to your local Maven dentist who can show you all the right flossing moves. 

Make flossing a routine

Flossing should be an essential part of your daily dental health routine along with brushing. Aim to flossing either in the morning or night, or even after lunch, for at least two minutes.

Kids should start cleaning between their teeth as soon as they have two teeth in contact. They’ll probably need a bit of help they begin, so show them the technique and they’ll have a better chance of growing up with less cavities.

If you have braces

Flossing is more important than ever if you have braces. Using the usual flossing tape can prove to be a bit of a challenge, so you might find something like a floss threader and interdental brushes will work better for you. Always floss gently and slowly since too much pressure and speed can damage your braces. Our wellness people have some great tips on caring for your braces.

Need to chat about flossing, or perhaps it’s time for a check-up? Book an appointment with your local Maven Dentist today!