How To Floss Properly For Healthy Teeth And Gums

  references
  
      American Dental Association: "5 Steps to a Flawless Floss"
    
      American Dental Association: “New survey highlights ‘unusual’ flossing habits”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

If you're taking the time to floss, make sure you're doing it properly.

Image Credit: Dylan Ellis/DigitalVision/GettyImages

The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine.

Image Credit: Dylan Ellis/DigitalVision/GettyImages

The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine.

For the best results, floss before you brush. This will help dislodge food particles buried between your teeth, so they can be scrubbed clean by the brush. This also enables the fluoride in toothpaste to reach areas between your teeth more easily.

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      American Dental Association: "5 Steps to a Flawless Floss"
    
      American Dental Association: “New survey highlights ‘unusual’ flossing habits”