Are you supposed to floss up and down or side to side?

There are two sides to each space between your teeth and you must floss each side separately so as not to injure the triangle of gum tissue between your teeth. Run the floss up and down the surface of the tooth, making sure you are going down to the gum line and then up to the highest contact point between the teeth.

How do you floss close teeth together?

With regular string floss, opt for a ribbon-style floss. This type of floss will easily glide through the tight spaces between your teeth, dislodging plaque and debris, without shredding or getting stuck. Plackers makes a line of disposable flossers, GentleSlide, that are ideal for people with tight teeth.

Should you floss back and forth?

Flossing Too Roughly Dentists also say to avoid ‘snapping’ the floss between your teeth, which puts pressure on your gums and can cause them to recede. To get the floss between two tightly packed teeth, try working it back and forth while applying pressure.

What should I do if my Dental Floss gets stuck in teeth?

If plain dental floss gets stuck in your teeth, use the waxed variety. If you have a hard time handling dental floss, try a floss holder. Other options might include special brushes, picks or sticks designed to clean between the teeth. Thomas J. Salinas, D.D.S.

How do you stabilize a tooth that is loose?

The tooth is connected to the abutment teeth ( either with a wire or perhaps just with composite material). We had a patient whose upper front tooth had a very deep pocket and was loose. We wired the tooth to the teeth on either side of this tooth ( abutment teeth) to stabilize it.

Does flossing cause bad breath?

Food particles and debris if left in between teeth start to rot and release gases which add to bad breath. Some floss also contains fluorides which may locally prevent bacterial multiplication. This is temporary, and the effect may be negligible. However, it should be considered, as fluoride is a potent substance against bacteria.

What to do when your gums turn pink after flossing?

Go pay your dentist a visit. Use water to rinse your mouth really well, use those cheek muscles well to get it around teeth and other areas of your mouth. If your gums are already swollen, some bleeding is natural. Sometimes over flossing may turn gums to a darker pink.