A Few Flossing Tips

Flossing goes hand-in-hand with brushing. It's essential to a cleaner, fresher mouth. If you omit flossing from your dental hygiene routine, you stand a good chance of developing gingivitis, an early form of gum disease. That will require a visit to the dentist. He will have to clean out the area where your teeth and gums meet, and I can assure you it's not pleasant.

Here's a good flossing tip to consider: Try flossing your teeth before you brush. You'll be able to remove the food debris stirred up by flossing.

If you're like most people, you're probably flossing incorrectly. Proper flossing is essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy...and ultimately your breath. Learn how to do it correctly.

Here's another suggestion. If you feel uncomfortable about flossing the standard way or if you're not sure you're doing it correctly, try using a specially designed plastic toothpick or an interdental cleaner, whichever is easier to hold and use. The idea is to clean the space between your teeth and the area where your gums meet your teeth -- regardless of which type of dental tool you use.

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