Step 2 - Flossing

Why?

Flossing is useful in removing the food or plaque that gets caught between teeth. Removing this food or plaque helps to prevent tooth decay from forming in between teeth, and also helps to prevent gum disease.

How?

There are several steps to effective flossing:

• Wrap the floss around the middle fingers. The floss should be approximately an arm's length or 40 cm long.
• For the upper teeth, use the index finger and the thumb to guide the floss. The thumb should be on the outside surface of the teeth.
• Use the two index fingers for flossing the lower teeth. Note: the fingers guiding the floss should not be more than 2.5 cm apart.
• Gently insert floss between the teeth by moving floss back and forth. Do not force the floss between the teeth or press down hard as this may cause bleeding.
• Gently curve the floss into a C-shape, sliding the floss up and down the space between the teeth, two or three times. As you do this, be sure to avoid the ‘in and out’ sawing action. Move the floss over to the side of the neighbouring tooth and repeat.

How often?

Flossing should be done once a day.