Unfortunately, many people do not floss, and so the increase in periodontal disease is seen. Flossing, as many people believe, is not used to remove food particles only. It is used to remove plaque under the gums, which is the invisible film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Floss allows one to go in between the teeth, and scrape the surfaces clear of this plaque and bacteria. This bacteria is not removed by simple brushing alone.

Technique: a 12 to 18 inch piece of floss should be used first. By placing a few inches around the middle fingers on either hand, and then using the thumbs for control, one places the floss in between teeth. Again, you can divide the mouth into sections. The important thing to remember is that you should get sufficient pressure to get in between the teeth. Pressure should be placed on either side of the teeth once the floss is in correct position.

One must get under the gumline to loosen the debris, plaque, and bacteria. This area is called the sulcus. A good way to remember how long to stay in this area and clean, is to count the up and down strokes on each tooth. Eight to ten strokes on each surface should be quite sufficient. The amount of time might seem excessive, but the rewards are great for your dental health.

Questions arise on how often one should floss? The answer is that, to be effective, one should floss each day.

What kind of floss is best? There are many flosses to choose from on the market. Each one works. Personal preference is up to the patient. Thickness, waxed or unwaxed, etc. are for the difficult spaces that exist in teeth. Flavored, non-flavored flosses are available, again it is personal preference of the patient. The main thing to remember is to floss on a regular basis to maintain good oral health. Our favorite floss is Glide. It is a Teflon coated floss that is easy to get between tight fitting teeth. Another floss just recently introduced to the market is called Satin-floss. It is similar to glide in that is easy to get between teeth.

	PROPER FLOSSING Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline.  Wrap an 18-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one-inch section tightly.

Ease floss between teeth. Clean up and down several times while curving around teeth at the gumline.

Always floss behind the last tooth. Unwind clean floss as you proceed.

Floss around the abutment teeth of a bridge and under artificial teeth using a floss threader.

You may experience sore or bleeding gums for the first several days you floss. If bleeding continues after the first week of flossing, call your dental professional. If you have trouble handling floss, ask your dentist about the use of a floss holder, or other types of interdental cleaning aids.