Dental Health

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Flossing

To properly floss your teeth, choose a dental floss that does not shred or fray and isn't so thin it cuts the gum or can't be guided gently down and around the sides of your teeth. If you have teeth that are very close together, try a floss made of Gore-Tex®. It costs a bit more, but it slips more easily between tight teeth and will not tear on sharp edges.

Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the other middle finger.

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Holding the floss between your thumbs and forefingers, guide it between two teeth by gently rubbing it back and forth.

When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it around one of the teeth and gently slide it back and forth in the crevice between the tooth and the gum.

Holding the floss tightly against the side of the tooth, rub gently up and down.

Repeat for each tooth, including the backside of your last teeth, changing to a different part of the floss as you go along. If you have difficulty using floss or have bridgework, a floss threader may help. Special picks, small brushes, and other interdental cleaners are handy for wide spaces between teeth. Standard toothpicks should never be used for regular hygiene.

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5 Steps to Effective Flossing:

Appointment not necessary for people in pain.
Call 519-679-Dove (3683).

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