Northport Family Dental

Caring...For You.

265 Main St, Northport | NY 11768

Pay Online

Northport Family Dental > Blog > A 4-Step Program for Effective Flossing

Patient Testimonials

"Northport Family Dental provides a very welcoming and professional staff with state of the art technology at their fingertips. On my very first visit as a new patient I was made to feel welcome and comfortable in the clean, pleasant and organized waiting area and treatment room."
"This was my first visit and I was immediately impressed by the facility and the professionalism of the staff. I was further impressed by the attention to detail, explanations and information given by the Doctor about the available treatments and my options. Dental treatment is not high on my list of things I look forward to but this was a rewarding and relatively painless experience."
"My family and I have been going to Northport Dental for the past 20 years and we love it. Dr. Rubin is awesome and his staff of hygienists, assistants and administrators are all so nice and caring and professional. Dr. Rubin's office is total state of the art - with all the latest high-tech equipment and comfortable atmosphere. We've recommended this office to many friends who are all very happy."
"The staff was terrific...very friendly and welcoming. Everything went like clockwork. I can't think of an experience with a dentist that was as reassuring. Doctor Rubin was really something. He was approachable and easy to converse with. The technology and expertise was something to behold."

Meet Our Team

Tour the Office

What We Do

Plan A Visit

A 4-Step Program for Effective Flossing

January 29, 2018

|

Posted By: Dr. Jeffrey S Rubin, DDS

Do you floss? Most people understand they need to brush twice a day, but flossing is equally important if you want to keep your smile healthy. Unfortunately, according to the American Dental Association, only about 40 percent of Americans floss daily, and 20 percent never floss at all.

Why You Should Be Flossing

Flossing is essential because your toothbrush can’t reach between teeth to clear away the plaque that collects during the day. Thorough flossing is not complicated or time-consuming; you should be able to do your whole mouth in five minutes. Establishing a routine is the best way to ensure that you floss regularly, so pick a time that makes sense for you.

Tips for Flossing

Then you can follow these five simple steps to make sure you are getting the most out of your efforts:

Remember to clean both sides between a tooth – You want to be sure you are forming the floss into a “C” shape, then slip it between your teeth. Wrap the floss around the tooth on one side and clean it, then do the same on the other side.
Change floss when moving to the next tooth – Floss is inexpensive, so don’t worry about conserving it. Reusing floss just transfers plaque from the tooth you already cleaned, which is counterproductive since you’re trying to remove plaque entirely!
Don’t force floss between teeth – In some cases, you may find it difficult to slip the floss between teeth. Do NOT force it as doing so can cause the floss to snap and cut tender gum tissue.
Establish a pattern – You may find flossing to be less of a chore if you find a pattern that works for you then stick to it. It doesn’t matter whether you start on the upper left and move to the lower left or do the upper arch and lower arch separately. Just do what works for you, and gradually the motions will become second-nature.

Call Northport Family Dental to Learn More

If you haven’t been flossing, please don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. We are your dentist in Northport, NY, and we aren’t here to judge or lecture you. Give us a call and let us help you get your oral health back on track!

Return to Blog Homepage