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Flossing should be done at least once a day, every day.
The best time to floss is of an evening before you brush your teeth. This removes the barrier of plaque on the side surfaces of the teeth and allows the fluoride in the toothpaste to topically act on the enamel when you brush. This in turn helps your teeth become more resistant to decay.
Follow the steps below for effective flossing;
- Break off about 50cms of floss and wind a good bit of it around one of your middle fingers. Then wind the remaining dental floss around the middle finger on the other hand. Grasp the floss with your thumb and fore finger with each hand. Leave approximately 2cms of floss between your two hands to work with.
- Pull the floss taut and use a gentle sawing motion to insert it between two teeth. When the floss reaches the tip of the triangular gum flap, curve the floss into a C shape against one of the teeth. Then slide the floss gently into the space between the tooth and the gum until you feel resistance.
- Holding the floss tightly wrapped around the tooth, rub the floss back and forth and up and down, five or six times along the side of the tooth.
- Without removing the floss, curve it around the adjacent tooth and rub back and forth around that one too.
- Repeat on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the far sides of your back teeth.
Note: When the floss becomes frayed or soiled, a turn on each middle finger brings out a fresh section of floss.
If you are having difficultly manipulating the floss, please try one of our commercial floss holders. Floss holders have limited flexibility and you must be careful to avoid injuring the gum.
If you are having trouble working the floss between teeth or the floss continues to break or tear in a particular area; please let us know as soon as possible. Calculus build up or improperly placed fillings could be the cause.
Flossing under Bridges requires additional instruction as does the use of floss threaders or special floss, called "super floss"; please discuss these tools with your dentist or hygienist before using them.
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Cosmetic Dentist in Castle Hill, Sydney (NSW) : Dental Excellence is located in Castle Hill, Sydney (NSW ) and provides Cosmetic, Reconstructive and Implant Dentistry.
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