What is the correct way to floss your teeth?

The correct way to floss your teeth involves a gentle and thorough technique to remove plaque and food particles.

Step-by-Step Flossing Guide

Follow these steps for proper flossing, incorporating the key points from the reference:

Prepare the Floss: Take about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand, and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand.
Hold the Floss: Grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers, leaving about an inch or two of floss to work with.

Glide: Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a zig-zag motion. Be careful not to let the floss snap between your teeth. This avoids injury to your gums.
- This prevents the floss from forcefully hitting the gums.
- The zig-zag motion makes it easier to move between the teeth.
Shape: Once the floss is between your teeth, curve it into a C shape around the side of one tooth.
- The C-shape ensures you clean the tooth’s surface correctly.
- This shape allows the floss to follow the curve of the tooth.
Slide: Slide the floss up and down against the tooth surface and carefully beneath the gum line.
- Cleaning under the gum line helps to remove plaque and bacteria.
- Avoid harsh or sawing motions, which can damage your gums.
Repeat: Repeat the C-shape and sliding motion on the adjacent tooth.
- Clean both sides of each tooth.
- Use a clean section of the floss for each tooth.
Move to New Teeth: Move to a new section of floss as you proceed from tooth to tooth.
- This prevents redepositing bacteria between teeth.
- Move to a new, clean section of floss by unwinding floss from one hand and winding up the used floss to the other finger.

Don't Rush: Flossing should take at least two to three minutes to properly clean each tooth surface.
Be Gentle: Forceful flossing can cause pain or bleeding; be gentle and thorough.
Bleeding: If you notice bleeding, do not stop flossing, it is possible your gums are inflamed and will stop bleeding with regular flossing. If bleeding persists, consult a dentist.
Frequency: Floss your teeth at least once a day, preferably before bed.

Step	Action	Description
Prepare	18 inches of floss wrapped on middle fingers	Allows for clean sections throughout your mouth.
Hold	Grip between thumbs and index fingers	Provides control and precision.
Glide	Gently zig-zag between teeth	Prevents snap between teeth, avoids injury to gums.
Shape	Form a C shape around a tooth surface	Ensures the floss follows the tooth’s contour, and effectively removes plaque and debris.
Slide	Slide up and down beneath the gum line	Cleans the tooth surface, and plaque and bacteria trapped under the gums.
Repeat	Repeat on adjacent tooth	Allows you to effectively clean all surfaces of every tooth.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively floss your teeth and maintain good oral health.