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Tips and tricks for flossing your teeth

If you’ve already developed a consistent and healthy brushing schedule, congratulations! You’re halfway down the road to achieving good oral hygiene. The other key to having a healthy mouth is learning proper flossing techniques. The British Dental Health Foundation recommends flossing at least once a day, and they give five suggestions to make your next flossing session more successful:

• Use about 18 inches of floss. This may seem like a lot, but once you wind it around your two middle fingers, you will be left with a sufficient amount to work with.

• Grip the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers, with about an inch of floss between them. Make sure the floss is pulled tightly and cannot loosen or bend. Then, gently rock the floss between your teeth. You should not jerk the floss or try to force it between your gums.

• When the floss is at your gum line, curve it against one tooth until you feel resistance.

• Hold the floss against this tooth. Gently scrape the side of the tooth as you move the floss away from the gums. Repeat on the other side of the gap on the neighboring tooth.

• Continue this process between each of your teeth, including the very back teeth.

The British Dental Health Foundation also suggests following a regular pattern when you floss so that you don’t miss any teeth. You may choose to start at the bottom right and end at the top left, or any other consistent method. Don’t be afraid to use a mirror, at least for awhile, so you can make sure you’re flossing properly.

In general, developing good habits will greatly improve the effectiveness of your flossing. If you have questions or want to request special floss for braces or crowns, please talk to your dentist or orthodontist. Any oral health professional that accepts your True Care membership plan will be able to help you improve your flossing habits. The sooner your start, the more benefits you will reap when it comes to having a hygienic mouth.

THIS PLAN IS NOT INSURANCE. THIS IS NOT A MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN.*
This plan does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. The plan provides discounts at certain health care providers for medical services. The range of discounts will vary depending on the type of provider and service. The plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. Plan members are obligated to pay for all health care services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with the discount medical plan organization. You may access a list of participating health care providers at this website. Upon request the plan will make available a written list of participating health care providers. You have the right to cancel within the first 30 days after receipt of membership materials and receive a full refund, less a nominal processing fee (nominal fee for MD residents is $5). Discount Medical Plan Organization and administrator: Careington International Corporation, 7400 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034; phone 800-441-0380.

The program and its administrators have no liability for providing or guaranteeing service by providers or the quality of service rendered by providers. This program is not available in Montana and Vermont. *Medicare statement applies to MD residents when pharmacy discounts are part of program.