Have you had a friend or family member watch as you floss your teeth recently? Are you checking out YouTube to see if there are any demonstrations that seem accurate? Figuring out the subtle nuances that make for optimal dental hygiene can at times feel somewhat confusing. This is why we generally suggest you ask, ask, ask your questions during your dental checkups with us. We are always glad to respond and help. For now, see how your flossing is doing with a short-but-sweet dental quiz.
Quiz Questions: True or False?
- True or False: You should be using as much floss as it seems you need for your dental hygiene routine – some patients can get away with as little as just a couple inches of floss.
- True or False: If you aren’t flossing for at least five minutes every day, you’re not spending enough time on your smile.
- True or False: If you’re flossing correctly, you are sliding the floss between your teeth, moving it down and then up, without going beneath your gumline.
Quiz Answers
- False. You need to be sure you’re tearing off approximately a foot and a half of dental floss (or up to two feet) for an effective dental hygiene session. Otherwise, you may find yourself reusing a portion of the floss, which is not ideal for removing plaque and debris.
- False. There is no particular amount of time that it should take you to floss. Instead, it is important that you are certain you floss between all of the teeth in your smile (behind the back teeth, too) for good results.
- False. You should be sliding the floss down just beneath your gumline (it should feel comfortable). Then, you need to delicately bend the floss around the side of one tooth, move it along the edge to remove buildup. Then, do the exact same thing on the neighboring tooth.