Are You Flossing Correctly?

Flossing your teeth is more important to your well-being than brushing and yet so many of us find reasons not to do it. Flossing does not only remove food from the teeth, but it removes plaque that can lead to tooth decay and eventually if left untreated, tooth loss. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, you may have told our hygienists that you don’t know how to floss, but after reading this post, you will no longer be able to use that as an excuse.

The correct flossing technique goes something like this:

• Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one-to-two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.


• Keep a one-to-two-inch length of floss controlled between fingers. Use index fingers to glide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.


• Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion and be sure to contour floss around the side of the tooth.

If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.