Floss
Floss is a fine string-like tape or fibre used to clean the hard to reach surfaces between the teeth. Plaque and tartar (hard calcified plaque, similar to limescale) build up between the teeth. The toothbrush can’t reach between the teeth, especially the back teeth (molars and premolars). Floss is used to scrape these hidden surfaces. It is important to remember that floss isn’t used to scrape the gums. If you try to clean the gums with floss, you may cut them.
Technique
1. Tear off about a foot long length.
2. Wind about 4 or 5 times around the middle of your middle (long) fingers, leaving about 4 inches between the fingers.
3. Pivot the floss tightly on your index fingers, leaving about an 3/4 inch (2.5cm) of taught floss between the finger tips.
4. Work the floss between the teeth. The short length of floss gives you control and strength to get between even tight teeth.
5. Scrape the hidden surfaces of the teeth, up and down. Do not use a “sawing” motion in and out and do not move horizontally. Keep the floss tight against the teeth so it goes above the gum line.
6. Move on to a fresh piece of floss by unwinding one finger and winding the other.
Floss is a fine string-like tape or fibre used to clean the hard to reach surfaces between the teeth. Plaque and tartar (hard calcified plaque, similar to limescale) build up between the teeth. The toothbrush can’t reach between the teeth, especially the back teeth (molars and premolars). Floss is used to scrape these hidden surfaces. It is important to remember that floss isn’t used to scrape the gums. If you try to clean the gums with floss, you may cut them.
Technique
1. Tear off about a foot long length.
2. Wind about 4 or 5 times around the middle of your middle (long) fingers, leaving about 4 inches between the fingers.
3. Pivot the floss tightly on your index fingers, leaving about an 3/4 inch (2.5cm) of taught floss between the finger tips.
4. Work the floss between the teeth. The short length of floss gives you control and strength to get between even tight teeth.
5. Scrape the hidden surfaces of the teeth, up and down. Do not use a “sawing” motion in and out and do not move horizontally. Keep the floss tight against the teeth so it goes above the gum line.
6. Move on to a fresh piece of floss by unwinding one finger and winding the other.