Best Practices for Flossing: Tips from Dr. Victor Kinara

Flossing is a crucial yet often neglected component of oral hygiene. At Express Smiles Dental Suite, Dr. Victor Kinara regularly educates patients on proper flossing technique. Start with about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around your middle fingers and leaving 1-2 inches to work with. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, and guide it gently between your teeth using a rubbing motion. When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and slide it gently into the space between the gum and tooth. While holding the floss against the tooth, gently move it up and down along the tooth surface and under the gumline, being careful not to snap it, which can injure your gums. As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss. To remove the floss, use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth. Many patients ask whether to floss before or after brushing. We recommend flossing first, as it removes food particles and plaque from between teeth, allowing the fluoride in toothpaste to better reach these areas during brushing. For those who struggle with traditional floss, consider dental tape, pre-threaded flossers, water flossers, or interdental brushes.