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Common Teeth Flossing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Posted on 9/11/2023 by Dr. Dani Stansell

Keeping your gums and teeth healthy and practicing proper oral hygiene need flossing. However, many people need help with flossing. These mistakes can hinder their effectiveness and potentially harm their oral health. Read more now to know the common teeth flossing mistakes and how to avoid them:

Not Flossing The Whole Tooth

One common mistake is not flossing the entire tooth surface. Some individuals only floss between their teeth and neglect to floss along the sides of the teeth, missing out on removing plaque and food particles that can accumulate there.

Talk to the dentist about how to floss your teeth to avoid this mistake. This way, you can clean the entire tooth surface, including the area below the gum line.

Flossing After Brushing

Another mistake is flossing after brushing your teeth. While brushing removes food particles from the surfaces of your teeth, flossing is necessary to clean the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline where a toothbrush cannot reach.

To maximize the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine, make sure to floss before brushing. This allows the fluoride from your toothpaste to reach between your teeth and provides additional protection against tooth decay.

Flossing Without A Plan

Many people floss without a proper technique or plan, resulting in ineffective cleaning. Randomly moving the floss back and forth between teeth can miss areas that need attention. To avoid this mistake, create a systematic approach to your flossing routine. Start from one side of your mouth and work your way around, ensuring you floss every tooth and reach all the spaces between. Take your time and be thorough to achieve optimal cleaning.

Stopping When The Gums Bleed

When flossing, gums frequently bleed, especially if you don't floss consistently or have sensitive gums. However, some people mistake bleeding as a sign to stop flossing altogether. In reality, bleeding gums often indicate gum inflammation or early-stage gum disease. Consistent and gentle flossing can help improve gum health over time and reduce bleeding. For more information about flossing, consult our dentist for a comprehensive evaluation and guidance.

Locations & Hours

Brier Creek

9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204
Raleigh, NC 27617-4879

Phone: 984-477-0177
Fax: 919-249-1375

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

North Raleigh

1911 Falls Valley Drive, Ste 107
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 984-206-4242
Fax: 919-249-2145

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Knightdale

1101 Great Falls Ct, Ste 102
Knightdale, NC 27545

Phone: 984-733-0330
Fax: 919-415-1849

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Stansell Dentistry Associates, 9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204, Raleigh, NC 27617-4879; 984-477-0177; stanselldentistry.com; 12/2/2024; Key Phrases: dentist Raleigh NC;