Dental Flossing without Strangling Your Fingers

Our office has found the following technique for using dental floss to be helpful!

Can we eliminate finger strangling from dental floss?

For many people, flossing is just difficult.  Using dental floss is awkward.  It requires good dexterity.  It is a bit messy.  And, sometimes, it hurts!  Not just the teeth and gums either!  The gums may hurt especially if there is periodontal disease present.  The issue addressed here is when the fingers doing the flossing hurt.  A lot of people have complained about this to our office.

The finger strangle problem of dental floss

No sore fingers! The solution to painful fingers from dental flossing.

Dental floss tips!  Important flossing notes to avoid strangling your fingers and maintain proper technique:

• Have fun!
• Your thumbs and first fingers on both hands should be available for flossing
• You should use a good quality dental floss, but most will work (if your floss is too thick or rough it may irritate the tissue)
• Wrap the first or middle finger of one hand with floss over a wide area of the fingertip
• Do not wrap in just one area as this increases the likelihood of strangling!
• As you use the floss, continue to wrap up the floss over a wide area of your finger
• You should be able to pull on the floss without turning your fingertip dark red or purple!
• Wash your hands before and after flossing to avoid spreading germs to your mouth or to other areas
• Have fun!

I’m serious, have fun!  You might as well consider flossing fun if this helps you to floss regularly.  Use dental floss every day, once a day, thoroughly to help your teeth and gums be as healthy as possible.  And try these tips to see if this helps you use dental floss without strangling your fingers!  Our office would be happy to answer any questions you have about dental floss or any other dental concern.  We serve patients all over Western Colorado and beyond.  Please visit our Facebook site for more information and fun photos.  Sometimes we post contests there as well.  Phone our office at (970) 242-3635.

Yours for better dental health, Julie Gillis, DDS