How to Floss Your Teeth

​As the old saying goes, you only need to floss the teeth you want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  Be sure you understand how to floss your teeth effectively.  The American Dental Hygienists’ Association explains the key elements of proper flossing technique in four simple steps.

1. Wind 18-20 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand.  Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one- to two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth. Each Floss Singles package has the right amount of floss you need!
2. Keep a one- to two-inch length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
3. Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. DO NOT SNAP FLOSS BETWEEN YOUR TEETH. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.
4. Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.