(540) 318-5577 [email protected]

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team

Stafford, VA Dentistry for Kids

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How to Floss

Just As Important as Brushing

Learning how to floss your teeth properly is just as important as knowing how to brush your teeth.  While brushing your teeth keeps the surfaces clean, you need to floss to reach those tiny spaces between your teeth and under your gum line.
 
Bacterial plaque, also called biofilm, loves to build up in those hard to reach spaces and if you don’t clean them properly it can result in damage to your teeth and gums. So, in order to make sure you are properly flossing read on and follow our technique and tips to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as can be!

 

Proper Technique

Start by tearing off a piece of floss about 12 to 18 inches long.  Then you should wrap the floss around your two middle fingers leaving a 3-4 inch gap.  This technique will help you switch the floss to different fingers easily so you can gaps the gaps between every tooth! 

Next, guide the floss between each tooth and make sure you keep your facial muscles relaxed.  Then curve the floss around the tooth and gently move it up and down the surface of the tooth.  If you are using un-waxed floss you will know you are done when you begin to hear a squeak.  Your teeth will literally be squeaky clean!  Once you are finished with one side of a space, curve the floss the other way and get the other side.  Repeat this process for every space, and make sure to get the back of your last teeth.

If you find flossing to difficult, there are tools available to help such as floss holders or interdental brushes. If you are feeling discomfort while flossing, it most likely means that you are flossing too hard.  Ask Dr. Payam at your next appointment for a demonstration and he will be happy to show you.  If your gums begin bleeding you should make an appointment with Dr. Payam because this could be a sign of gum disease.  Properly flossing takes practice, so make sure that you do it at least once a day, especially before you go to sleep, and before you brush your teeth.  Happy flossing!

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(540) 318-5577

(540) 369-6250

[email protected]

1003 Garrisonville Rd
Stafford, VA 22556

Office Hours: 
Monday – Thursday 8AM – 6PM
Friday – Saturday 8AM – 2PM

 

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About Us

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team is a pediatric dental office located in Stafford, VA.  We also service the areas of Quantico, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Falmouth, and King George.  We specialize in dentistry just for kids! Come in and meet Dr. Payam today!

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