This guide will help you chew on some tips and tricks before you break out your new floss pick after that hearty steak dinner.
Floss picks are a great addition to your toolbox if you’re thinking of adding something new to your dental care arsenal.
Besides brushing your teeth, floss picks are a great addition to any oral health routine. As opposed to floss alone, floss picks are plastic dental tools that contain a small string and a pointy pick at the end. You can carry them anywhere, and they’re easy to grip and slim.
Find out how to choose and use floss picks correctly. Your teeth will thank you!
Picking a floss pick
Most floss picks are designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, be easy to maneuver, and be convenient to use on the go.
Plastic. Great for price and quantity, but not so great for Mother Earth. Gross picks littering the sidewalk? Not a fan.
But it isn’t all bad news. Some floss picks are actually made from eco-friendly materials, like corn starch, while others can be reused for life. A single refill of quip replaces 180 plastic floss picks, plus it has a durable, easy-to-string handle and mirrored dispenser.
Choosing a floss pick you actually use might make you floss more frequently, like dentists suggest.
Using a floss pick
It can be hard to figure out how to use floss picks compared to the back and forth motion of regular string. Is it right to floss both ways so that you clean at least two of the five surfaces toothbrushes fail to reach? Well, that’s a trick question.
The first step is to slide your floss pick between your teeth.
The second step is to let the string curve around the tooth in a “c” shape.
To remove additional buildup, move the pick from side to side from the point where it makes contact with the gum.
Make your floss picks more effective
Don’t know whether you’re flossing right? Your gums will tell you if you’re doing it wrong. When they become irritated or bleed, you may be flossing incorrectly.
You can avoid getting into a painful situation by following these steps:
Flossing too rough can cause your gums to bleed, which can result in serious problems in the future. Be gentle when flossing to remove bacteria and plaque.
You will not receive any rewards for flossing in under a minute, so take your time. When flossing correctly, it should take you two to five minutes.
Back teeth should be flossed since bacteria can get stuck behind the tooth and irritate the gums. Floss picks are easy to use so you may find you have more dexterity and can reach those back teeth.
When should you use a floss pick?
As long as you brush for two minutes every morning and evening, flossing once a day should be enough to maintain good dental hygiene. Too much floss can irritate your gums, but too little can encourage bacteria buildup.
Because you don’t have to use the same small string for every tooth, traditional dental floss is recommended for daily use. However, a refillable floss pick solves this problem and lets you restring it multiple times, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer the grip and convenience of a floss pick.
One thing you should remember…
Whether you use regular floss, dental floss picks, waxed floss, or another flosser, flossing is critical to maintaining good oral health and preventing gum disease, inflammation, and decay.
Now that you know how to floss effectively with a floss pick, you can take on the world – and that steak dinner – with confidence.