Everybody knows that flossing is important. However, most people don’t do it. Why? It’s because flossing is not seen as integral as brushing one’s teeth. Even you may admit that you don’t floss as regularly as you brush. Unfortunately, this can lead to plaque and cavities if you keep forgetting to floss. So, how do you start the habit of flossing?

Types of Floss

First, you have to familiarize yourself with the different types of dental floss. If you didn’t know, there are two different types of floss that vary in thickness and use.

Standard Floss

Standard floss is made from a thin nylon strand. This is the more common type of floss because it’s used by everyone. Some versions of this come with flavors so that it’s easier to use. It can also come waxed or unwaxed. The waxed version is used by people with crowded teeth.

Dental Tape

Got braces? You can still floss. This is where dental tape comes in handy. Unlike the standard floss, dental tape is broader and flatter which is better for those with gaps. If you already have braces, the dental tape can still fit in between your teeth.

Frequency of Flossing

When should you floss? Do you have to do it every after you brush? Most people would think so. However, you don’t have to floss every single time you brush. The recommended frequency is to floss once a day before you brush your teeth.

Wait, floss before you brush? You read that right. Since flossing removes the food that gets stuck in your teeth, it’s best to do it before you brush. When you brush before you floss, the food won’t be lifted from the gaps between your teeth. Instead, it can be pushed down even more. When you floss before, the food gets lifted so that they are easier to brush away.

How to Floss Effectively

So you’re ready to floss. How do you do it properly? Here is a step-by-step guide.

1. Get at least 18 inches of floss from the case. Wind most of the length on your two middle fingers. When you wind them, make sure to leave around 2 inches of floss in the middle. This is what you’ll use to actually clean your teeth.
2. Position your index finger and thumb on the remaining unwounded floss. Hold it as if the two fingers are pinching the floss. Your thumb and index fingers will guide and control the flossing movement.
3. Place the dental floss in between the teeth that you need to clean. You’re going to be doing this for each tooth, so it’s better to start on one side.
4. When you’ve placed the floss in between the teeth, slowly rub it against one side of the tooth. Rub the floss up and down for a few seconds. Then do the same movement to the other tooth. Make sure that the up and down movement slowly forms a curve making it look like the floss “hugs” the side of your tooth.
5. While your flossing, be careful not to touch the floss to your gums. The flossing movement can cause bleeding in your gums especially when you floss too hard.
6. Once you’re finished with one tooth, move to the next gap and repeat steps 4 and 5.

Benefits of Flossing

What exactly do you get when you floss regularly? Well, first you prevent plaque buildup. This benefit in itself is worth the time you spend on flossing. Plaque is the primary reason for gum infection and tooth decay, but if you floss regularly, the acid and residue that remain on the teeth will not form plaque.

Another reason is it improves the cleanliness of your mouth. Just imagine having stuck strands of meat in there that your toothbrush wasn’t able to get. It’s embarrassing. When you floss, you ensure that no food gets left behind.

And lastly, flossing prevents bad breath. The food that gets left in your mouth smells bad after a while. If you don’t floss, you won’t be able to take it out. Brushing alone won’t remove all of them. If you know how embarrassing bad breath is, flossing can help you avoid that experience.