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A Word of Advise from your Dental Hygienist: Flossing for prevention

If you are committed to keeping your teeth and protecting your health, you will want to be sure to floss correctly.

Choosing a floss:

Look for dental floss that has CDA (Canadian Dental Association) acceptance. Other than that, choosing one is mostly a matter of personal preference. Studies have found no difference between waxed and unwaxed, tape and cord and nylon and polymer floss as far as cleaning capacity, however for people with tight spaces between teeth, a polymer floss may work best.

You may choose to floss first and brush afterwards to loosen plaque which can be brushed away with your toothbrush.

Step-by-step:

Use a piece of floss about 15 inches (40 cm.s) long and wind it from each end around the middle fingers of your both hands leaving one third of it in the middle. Gently insert the floss between the teeth using a back and forth motion, guiding the floss with your forefingers. Guide the floss to the gumline and curve it into a C-shape around first one tooth, slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel light resistance. In an up and down motion clean the surface of the each tooth, and repeat this process for every tooth and don't forget the back sides of the back teeth.

If you do not see food particles on the floss, don't be disappointed. The primary function of dental floss is actually to remove the invisible film of bacteria that constantly forms between the teeth, causing plaque.

Flossing options:

For children younger than 12 years and people with dexterity problems, power flossers or floss holders may be useful.

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Flossing