4 Tips to Make Flossing Easy and Comfortable
Flossing could be a hard habit to add to your dental hygiene routine if you didn’t learn to when you were young. However, by using the right tools and techniques, you’ll find that it’s easier than it seems! Even better, you’ll be rewarded with fresher breath, healthy gums, and fewer cavities.
Keep reading for four simple tips that can finally make flossing an easy part of your dental hygiene routine!
Use the Right Tools
You can use various tools to floss if you find that one type doesn’t suit your teeth. Here are a few:
- Dental tape
- Waxed floss
- Water flossers
- Floss picks
For instance, dental tape is broader and flatter than regular floss. Some people find this floss easier to use if their teeth are tightly packed together. On the other hand, a floss pick may be a more comfortable, ergonomic choice for you if you have trouble using floss wrapped around two fingers.
Break It Up
Flossing can feel challenging at first because it adds a few minutes to your routine. Unfortunately, those minutes may feel like hours! To accustom yourself to the added time, try flossing the upper portion of your mouth in the morning and the lower portion in the evening.
You can also start off by flossing every other day, then gradually build to flossing every day when it feels more manageable.
Learn the Technique
Using traditional waxed floss, you’ll want to use at least 18 inches to ensure each tooth is flossed with a fresh piece. Start by winding the floss between your middle fingers with about an inch between them.
Then, hold the floss taut and slide it up and down between your teeth. Finally, hold the floss in a “c” shape so you’re applying pressure to each side of your teeth and scraping the built-up plaque away!
Don’t Stress
Lastly, don’t stress! It’s normal to experience minor bleeding and gum soreness if you haven’t flossed your teeth in a long time. After a few weeks of flossing daily, you shouldn’t experience any more bleeding or soreness.
If you are, you must let your dentist know and schedule an appointment to discover the root of the issue.
Add Flossing to Your Dental Hygiene Routine
Flossing is essential to any dental hygiene routine because it’s the only way to thoroughly clean between teeth. Unfortunately, food particles and plaque build up without flossing, leading to tooth decay, cavities between the teeth, and gingivitis.
You’ll be well on your way to a healthy and beautiful smile by implementing the tips above!
