Tips for Flossing Your Teeth

Floss your teeth once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist or hygienist. To floss:

Remove about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.

Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing. Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.

Place the floss in your mouth and use your index fingers to push the floss between the teeth. Be careful not to push too hard and injure the gums.

Move the floss up and down against the tooth and up and around the gum line. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.

Floss between each tooth as well as behind the back teeth.

Use a clean section of floss as needed and take up used floss by winding it around the fingers.

Also, antibacterial mouth rinses (there are fluoride mouth rinses as well) can reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease, according to the American Dental Association.