How to Floss

How To Floss: The Spool Method

As with most things in life, it takes repetition and practice to do an excellent job of flossing your teeth. Here’s an effective technique known as the “spool” method.

Prepare

Break off a piece of floss that is about 18 inches long.

Wrap most of it around an index or middle finger and the other end around the same finger on the other hand.

As you floss, you’ll be holding the floss firmly between your thumbs and fingers while you unwind new segments of floss from your one finger and take up used segments with your other finger.

As you floss, curve the floss around the tooth in a “C” or “U” shape and gently work the floss into the gum line. Then, move the floss up and down over the back of the tooth.

As you floss, remember to be gentle!

Floss

Be organized when you floss!
Begin with the upper back teeth on one side of the mouth.

Floss the back of the last tooth first, gently working the floss between the back tooth and the tooth next to it, using a back and forth motion, being careful not to force the floss into the gums.

Once the floss reaches the gum line, curve it around one tooth, gently slide it into the space between the gum and tooth, and then move it up and down over the tooth. Repeat the process on the other tooth.

Move to the next two teeth and repeat the process, then the next, working around to the back tooth on the other side. Be sure to floss the back side of the last tooth.

Repeat the process on the upper back teeth on the other side of the mouth.

Then move to the lower teeth and repeat the process once again.

Preserve

Most people find that it hurt to floss, so they don’t do it. This couldn’t be more wrong! Think of flossing as a way to get your gums into shape. The more you floss, the healthier your gums become, and the less they will hurt or bleed when you floss.

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To your health!