How To Floss

The proper flossing technique, according to the Canadian Dental Association, begins with a piece of floss the length of a person’s hand to their shoulder. The floss should be wound around the index and middle finger with about two inches of space between. Each tooth should be cleaned by wrapping the floss in a C-shape around the base of the tooth and sliding the floss from base to tip two or three times. If you have braces, follow the same guideline but use a floss threader to get the floss through your braces.

Teeth should be brushed after flossing, according to the guidelines.

Bleeding is a common side effect when a person begins flossing, but it should stop after a few days. If it does not stop, the Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist.