This post from Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati is for kids who want to make flossing their teeth a daily habit. Here are five flossing steps made so easy you can tick them off one finger at a time.
Thumbkin: Thumb to Chest Reminder
Thumb to chest can remind me that this isn’t for my friends. Flossing is for me, myself and I. Your overall oral health depends not only on healthy teeth but also healthy gums, therefore I floss.
Pointer: Pointer Fingers Measure
How much floss will I need to floss my 32 teeth? The American Dental Association advises that you use about 18 inches. Roughly 6 lengths of your pointer finger should suffice.
Tall Man: Wrap the Middle Fingers
This is a team endeavor. With the middle fingers wound up in the floss, the thumb and forefinger can grip and guide the floss into place. After curving the floss around the tooth into a “C” shape, and the up and down motions have wiped away plaque, then “unspool” for a new section for the next tooth in line.
Ring Man: The Smell Test
Many a long term relationship has been cut short due to not-so-fresh breath. Smell floss before going between teeth. Smell it after. Bad smell? Brushing is not cleaning away that bacteria sufficiently. Hurray for floss! This smell test says the brushing needs to be adjusted. Be gentle with your gums. Keep those areas at the base of your teeth bacteria free.
Pinky: Time to Promise
Make the pledge now. Every time you look at your pinky, remember that you pinky promised to keep those gums free from disease. Flossing isn’t so much about removing food as it is about removing dental plaque. Plaque leads to decay and inflamed gums. Periodontal disease can eventually bring about tooth loss. Tooth neglect is a slippery slope.
At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we encourage patients of all ages to take good care of their dental health. That means regular brushing and flossing, and regular checkups at our office. People from Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Kenwood come to us for family and restorative dentistry, and much more. Schedule your next checkup today!
Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:
513-791-8880
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242
