FLOSSING:

It is vitally important to clean germs from between the teeth whenever the teeth are in contact. This is best performed by an adult until children are least 8 or 9 years of age. Flossing helps prevent cavities from occurring in between the teeth, and helps prevent gum disease.

Guide to Easy Flossing:

1. Use about 18 inches of floss. (Don’t try to use too short a piece!)
Lay the floss across your open palms.

     2. Close your fingers over the floss

3. Turn your palms over and hold the floss with your thumbs and index fingers

4. Rub the floss gently up and down between the teeth, keeping it pressed against one tooth and then the other to clean the teeth on both sides of the point of contact.  Be careful not to snap or jerk the floss into the gums.                                         

Reposition the floss in your hands to use a clean spot as you go around the mouth. While it may be awkward at first, with practice the process will be easy.

Flossing should be done once each and every day. You’ll know you are doing well when the gums do not bleed any longer. Remember, healthy gums do not bleed!