How To Floss

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=128 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="041f0f21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="042203c0.jpg" border=0 width="32" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B>Meyer Dental Group, p.l.l.c. </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B> | </B></FONT><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meyer Dental Group, p.l.l.c."><U><B>H</B></U></A><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meyer Dental Group, p.l.l.c."><U><B>ome</B></U></A><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B><A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Patient Information"><U><B>Patient Information</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How To Brush Your Teeth"><U><B>How To Brush Your Teeth</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>How To Floss</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electric Toothbrushes"><U><B>Electric Toothbrushes</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Infants Home care"><U><B>Infants Home care</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sealants"><U><B>Sealants</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tooth Bleaching"><U><B>Tooth Bleaching</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Veneers"><U><B>Veneers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMJ Pain"><U><B>TMJ Pain</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are Silver Fillings Safe?"><U><B>Are Silver Fillings Safe?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Periodontal Disease"><U><B>Periodontal Disease</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nitrous Oxide"><U><B>Nitrous Oxide</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Root Canals"><U><B>Root Canals</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Insurance"><U><B>Insurance</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bad Breath"><U><B>Bad Breath</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mouthguards"><U><B>Mouthguards</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Is A Crown"><U><B>What Is A Crown</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Do I Need A Bridge"><U><B>Why Do I Need A Bridge</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=1 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040f2f02egerdp.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=352 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043f0f03.jpg"> <div> <B>How To Floss</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d7a77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="Why You Need To Floss" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It's important that you floss between your teeth at least once a day. Most cavities and gum disease start between your teeth, where your toothbrush just can't reach. Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line. Plaque is the culprit in tooth decay and gum disease. It is a sticky, invisible film of bacteria and food residue that regularly attaches to the teeth. If you don't floss every day to remove the plaque that forms daily on your teeth, the plaque will harden into calculus (also called tartar) which can't be removed by brushing or flossing. Tartar causes even more problems, as it traps the destructive bacteria against the tooth and gums.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>How to floss properly</B></div> <bR> <div> Break off about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving about five inches of floss unwound.  Pinch the floss between your thumbs and index fingers.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0d5a77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="How To Floss" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Gently glide the floss down between two teeth, using a side-to-side sawing motion. If it's difficult to fit the floss between your teeth, or if it snags or tears, let us know. There may be a problem that need to be fixed. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0d6a77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="Proper Flossing Technique" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Pull the floss tightly into a C shape around the side of your tooth, and slide it under the gum line. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Clean the side of the tooth, using an up-and-down motion. </div> <bR> <div> The floss will 'tell' you that you have removed all the plaque by squeaking a little as it rubs against your tooth.</div> <bR> <div> Repeat the process on both sides of every tooth, using a fresh section of floss each time.</div> <div> It's normal for gums to bleed a bit when you first start flossing. After a week or so of daily flossing, the bleeding should stop. If it doesn't, be sure to let us know.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Which floss to choose?</B></div> <bR> <div> There are many types of floss on the market today - waxed and unwaxed; fine floss and dental tape; flavored and unflavored. Each are equal in their ability to remove plaque from between your teeth. We would be happy to recommend a floss that is well suited to the conditions in your mouth. <B> Oral-B</B> has a complete line of high quality products that will make your flossing experience easier and more efficient.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Difficult Areas</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0eca77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="Flossing Around Braces Is Important" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If you have areas that are difficult to clean with floss, you may need to use either Superfloss or a floss threader. Both are inexpensive and easy to use, and will make flossing hard-to-reach places easier. They are particularly useful under bridges and between the bands and wires on braces.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f04c336600.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Floss threaders</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0eda77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="A Floss Threader" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A floss threader helps you maneuver regular dental floss through tight spaces under bridges and braces. Pull about 18 inches of regular floss through the loop of the floss threader. Then insert the opposite end of the threader under the bridge or up to the braces until the floss is where you want it to be, and pull into a C shape, cleaning both surfaces of every tooth. Rinse with plenty of water when you are finished. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f04c336600.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Superfloss</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0eba77d0.jpg" border=0 width="167" height="125" ALT="Superfloss is Great For Wider Gaps Between Teeth" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Superfloss has an end that is stiff, so it threads easily through tight areas. It also has a fuzzy, tufted segment that helps remove plaque and food particles as you floss. Superfloss is used the same way as regular floss, except you thread it between your teeth by inserting it from the side, next to the gumline. Slide the Superfloss under your bridge or your archwire, pull into a C shape and floss both sides of every tooth. </div> <bR> <div> As Superfloss is thicker than regular floss, it is easier to floss teeth that are next to a wider-than-normal gap, and it decreases the time necessary to properly clean these larger tooth surfaces. Since Superfloss is sturdier, it is also a good choice if the floss that you currently use shreds when you run it between your teeth.</div> <bR> <div> Superfloss and floss threaders can help maximize the effectiveness of your oral home care. They make it easier to floss every day, so you can eliminate plaque and prevent periodontal disease and cavities.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>