Are floss picks as good as regular floss? While it’s better to floss with a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. At Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Shelby Township, we recommend traditional floss or tape. Here’s why:
A floss pick holds just a small piece of floss stretched in a straight line. But teeth are rounded, with occasional irregularities. A straight segment of floss just won’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional, string floss.
By wrapping string floss completely around a tooth, you can clean plaque off your teeth far more effectively. We have seen patients who are dutiful floss pick users who developed decay due to a small crack the floss pick missed day after day.
Flossing, The Right Way
Here is a guide to proper flossing:
- Cut a segment of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
- Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inche
- old the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s critical to scrape up and out of the pocket.
- Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. With 18 inches, you should have enough to furnish a clean segment for each tooth.
Some people find it simpler to start on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch.
If you don’t usually floss, your gums might bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding typically stops within a week or two.
At Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Shelby Township, we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. That means daily flossing and brushing, and a checkup in our office every six months. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!
Contact Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry:
586-685-0880
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
45665 Village Blvd
Shelby Township, Michigan
48315
