Common Flossing Mistakes

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth. However, it’s one of those things people often don’t think much about. As it turns out, there are some definite do’s and don’ts to consider. Here, a Midtown Miami, FL dentist lists some common flossing mistakes.

Not Angling The Floss 

It’s important for you to scrape gunk off the front and back. That means angling the floss properly. 

Re-Using The Same Section of Floss

This is not only ineffective, it can actually be harmful, as you can spread plaque and bacteria around your mouth. 

You In The Back

To be fair, it can be hard to get those back teeth if you have big hands, a small mouth, or both. You may need to use flossers to help get those hard-to-reach spots. Don’t skip them, though. Your back teeth do most of the chewing, after all. 

Wandering

Flossing is one of those things people often are a bit absent-minded about. Even those who do it regularly can overlook certain teeth. Go in with a plan of attack, and make sure you’re getting all of your choppers. 

Stopping At The Sight Of Blood 

Blood in the sink doesn’t mean you flossed too hard and hurt your gums. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. When you don’t floss, all that bacteria, plaque, and debris can make your gums inflamed and irritated, which causes bleeding. That said, heavy bleeding means you need a trip to the dentist. 

Rushing

Flossing may not be the highlight of your day, but over time it will have a tremendous impact on your teeth and smile. Take time to do it right. Try to spend about two minutes flossing every day. 

No Pressure

Just lightly moving the floss up and down won’t do much. While you don’t want to use too much pressure at the gumline, you do need to scrub the surfaces of your teeth to remove plaque.

Just Going For The Food

Another common mistake? Going for that piece of spinach and then ignoring the rest of your teeth. Flossing is much more than a means to remove food. 

Not Doing It

Of course, the biggest flossing mistake is … not flossing at all. We recommend flossing daily. Your future self will thank you! 

Are you looking for a great dentist? Contact us, your Midtown Miami, FL dental clinic!