While making the time to floss in and of itself is very important, it is even more important to make sure that your time spent flossing is effective. Thankfully, family dentistry dentists generally have several tips that help to make flossing more effective. This article will discuss 3 of these tips in more detail.

Make Sure Your Floss String Is Long Enough

One thing that you can do to improve your flossing is to make sure that your string is long enough. Your dentist will likely recommend that you use a floss string that is at least 18 inches long. This allows you to wrap the floss around your fingers multiple times, so as to ensure that you have a firm grip on the floss. It also gives you plenty of string to maneuver around each tooth and effectively clean them. If your floss is very thin and breakable, then you could even consider doubling this string so that it is even more strong and durable.

Follow The Curve Of Your Teeth

Your dentist will also tell you how important it is to follow the curve of each tooth clear up into your gums when you floss. You will start at the tip of your tooth and carefully work your way to the very top, even up into the gum. The key is to keep in control of the floss and avoid pushing it too hard when going between the teeth. By doing this, you ensure that the entire portion of your tooth is cleaned, and that anything caught up in your gums is removed. This can also stop you from accidentally hitting your gums when taking the floss in and out, which can cause unnecessary pain and inflammation.

Take Your Time

Flossing is not a race, so it definitely should be taken just as seriously as brushing your teeth. Because of this, you want to take your time and make sure that each tooth is completely flossed before moving on to the next tooth. If your floss breaks, get a new string and finish strong. If you have to use a floss threader to get between some of your teeth, then make sure you use one. While doing these things may take you a bit more time, they can make a huge difference in how effective your flossing is and in the overall health of your teeth and gums.