Tip #3. Contour floss around the side of the tooth, making a C shape with the. Insert the floss or tape between the next two teeth and clean the surfaces in the same way. Next, wrap the floss around the other tooth and repeat. With traditional floss, you take a long strand of floss and wrap it around your thumb and index finger. Holding tightly, move the floss gently up and down the tooth a few times to remove plaque. Make it a habit t. Wipe the tooth from base to tip two or three times. Be sure to use a new section of floss for each tooth. Indication for provisional coverage for a crown or fixed bridge. Wrap the floss snugly around one tooth in a C shape and clean it using about 10 up and down strokes. Home. Tie it securely with three knots. Patent & Trademark Office yesterday issued Patent 10,206,765 on a redefinition of dental floss by the sole inventor Leonard Lorch . Gently move the floss using a slow back-and-forth motion and up and down, including under the gumline. • Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gen-tly insert it between the teeth. Hold a short amount of floss between your thumb and fingers, and insert it between your teeth. When using a flosser, follow the same basic technique as when using regular floss. Repeat this procedure for the rest of your teeth. . Move the floss up and down against the surface of the side of the tooth (both the right and left sides) 2 to 3 times, as if wrapping the floss around the tooth. Moved the floss gently up and down the surface of the tooth to remove the plaque. Starting with about 45cm of floss, wind most of the floss around each middle finger, leaving about 3cm of floss to work with. Curved the floss in a C-shape to wrap it around the tooth and allow access into the sulcus area. Flossing is a very effective method of cleaning in between the teeth, areas that toothbrushes don't often clean effectively. Flossing Stick. Curve the floss into a 'C' shape against the side of the tooth," Henville said. Don’t forget to floss the backsides of your back teeth on both the left and right of the upper and lower teeth. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards terms like Which curette is for anterior teeth and premolars?, What is a Gracey 3/4 used for?, Which curette is used for mesial surfaces of molars? and more. Try to use a zig-zag motion as you move the floss between teeth, being careful not to allow the floss to pop or snap between teeth as it enters. 2 out of 5 stars 166. Most people think they're flossing correctly, but they've been doing it wrong their whole life. Use a Floss ThreaderWe would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth. Gently pull the floss through the wire. Flossing Technique Start with a piece of floss from the length of your wrist to elbow. Step 3 Floss both sides of every tooth. Never snap the floss into the gums. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gumline. Use a piece of floss 15 to 18 inches long, slide it between the teeth, wrap it around each tooth in the shape of a "C," and polish with an up and down motion. First, get yourself a long enough piece of floss (the ADA recommends about an 18-inch piece). Reach out to Pinnacle Dental Associates at 541-928-9299 to schedule an appointment today! Day. Flossing “harder” won’t lead to better results. Dental floss holders come in a ‘Y’ shape. What time of day should you floss? We've made it easy to review the fundamentals of a bright, healthy smile. Wrap it around each tooth in a C-shaped motion, and get under the gumline. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue. For more information on good dental habit formation- please visit : 5min How to look after your baby's first teeth 3min Is water flossing effective? 3min How often should you floss? You should floss once a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1. Insert the point of the plastic needle under the wire of your braces. Gingivitis is the. Curve the floss into a C-shape around the base of your tooth. This will allow the floss to gently enter the space between your gums and each tooth. Gum contouring, involves changing the shape of your gums to be more aesthetically pleasing. 6K views 10 years ago The proper technique to floss using the c-shaped. 13. Use gentle pressure to avoid harming your gums or enamel. You’re not flossing the whole tooth. Move it up and down along the side of the tooth 8-10 times (not side to side). Tape floss (also known as ‘dental tape’) These all have the same thing in common: they are soft, flexible and easy to use. Flossing Instructions: Gently s. Insert the floss gently between your teeth. Using a gentle rubbing motion, move the floss in between your teeth. Entries must be received by 10:59 PM EST, on 12/24/2022. Regularly scheduled dental cleanings keep your gums and teeth healthy. C. Keep it simple. Gently move the floss using a slow back-and-forth motion and up and down, including under the gumline. When using these, the handle helps you position with floss between the teeth. The flossing product you choose isn't as important as the act of using it. Use these very similarly to how you would use regular floss – gently glide the floss between your. When you have fixed braces, it is important to clean in between your teeth to prevent the build-up of plaque. Flossing. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like where do you sit for surfaces away surfaces toward, what are the 3 parts of every instrument?, unpaired vs paired instruments and more. how many time should you rub the floss on each surface. 1. Advertisement. Gently remove the string from that gap and unwind a clean piece to use on the next gap. 🦷🪥Ever wondered how people floss with a bridge and veneers? Flossing implants and crowns is the same as flossing around anatomical teeth. Step #1 – Slide your floss pick between your teeth. You want to wrap the strand of floss in a “C” shape and gently hug the side of the tooth, rubbing it up and down several times as well as cleaning just below the edges of your gums. The Ultimate Body Pillow - C-shaped body pillows for adults replaces need for multiple bed pillows, with a unique design that helps support your back, hips, knees, neck, and head. So mAke the floss a C shape and press it on the side of the tooth, wiggle it away from the gums to remove food and the sticky plaque that hides under your gums and on the edges of the teeth. Holding the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth. It removes the plaque and bacteria your toothbrush can't quite reach. Be careful not to. In any event, daily flossing is an excellent and proven method for complementing your brushing routine and helping to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other dental problems later in life. Don’t forget to floss the back sides of your back teeth on both the left and right of the upper and lower teeth. Choosing the right toothpaste and toothbrush and their regular replacement is important. With traditional floss, you take a long strand of floss and wrap it around your thumb and index finger. 99/Count)When the floss reaches the tip of the triangular gum flap, curve the floss into a C Shape against one of the teeth. Insert the floss or tape between the next two teeth and clean the surfaces in the same way. Damage to permanent tooth buds when an injury to primary teeth has occurred, What is class I occlusion? A. With the help of the index finger and thumb of each hand, floss is inserted in between teeth. In this study, 25 people were assigned to use four different products: an electric flosser, an un-waxed floss, a woven floss, and a shred-resistant floss. Flossing: step 4. The floss is held with the index finger and thumb of each hand by grasping a section three-quarters to 1 in. With water until full (7 ounces is recommended). mint) and unflavoured floss. 6) Holding the floss tightly against the tooth, gently rub the floss up and down. These flossers can be easily carried around and are easy to use. flossing & accessories. #ExamSeries, #flossing ,#correctmethodOnce the floss is in place, wrap it in a “C” shape against the side of your crown and implant, gently rubbing up and down its side several times. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss. After a few days of flossing, the bleeding should stop as their. Curve the floss in a “C” shape around each tooth, and be sure to go below your gum line. Skip Navigation. The American Dental Association recommends curving the floss into a "C" shape against the side of every tooth and firmly, but carefully, motioning it up and down. Work the floss gently between the teeth until it reaches the gumline. To effectively clean between your teeth, bring the tool up and down gently on both sides of every tooth (even your back teeth). This is where you will gently hug the tooth, and go up and down on each side of the tooth. ; Guide: Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1″- 2″ length in between. • Curve the floss into a “C” shape against the side of the tooth. Break off a piece of floss equal in length to the distance from your hand to your shoulder. Work the floss gently between the teeth toward the gum line. An amateur with closely spaced teeth and relatively poor. Don't reuse the floss, and discard it once done. Holding tightly, move the floss gently up and down the tooth a few times to remove plaque. Don't. This Floss Turned Dental Hygiene Into My Favorite Form of Self-Care. Do Electric Flossers Work? Do you know how to floss properly? Try to form the floss into a C- shape around each tooth, getting the hard-to-reach area where your teeth meet your gum line. Don’t jerk or snap the floss. Once you get past where the tooth contacts each other, you want to do the C-shape flossing method. Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it into a "C" shape around the base of the tooth and gently under the gumline. Gently move the floss using a slow back-and-forth motion and up and down. It also makes it easier to pull the floss in a C-shape around the tooth. The inflammation of the gingival tissue. Be careful not to let the floss snap between teeth. The cleaning section of the Super floss is made of a thicker, spongy. Thread floss. Go to a new section of the floss as it wears and picks up particles. Insert the floss between your teeth. Between each tooth, and 2. Never snap or force the floss, as this may cut or bruise delicate gum tissue. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape. A. Wrap the floss tightly around the tooth in a C-shape. 7:00 a. Second, it removes plaque (also known as biofilm) from the sides of your teeth. Pre-threaded flossers. Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum. See all. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Gently slide the floss between your teeth, avoiding excessive force to prevent gum irritation. “It makes sense to get dental advice from these dental organizations,” Palomo says. Gently slide it down between your child's teeth with your thumb and index fingers holding the floss taut. SMARTLIFECO has introduced a biodegradable floss pick, which is vegan-friendly and features no plastic of any kind. C-shaped flossing - YouTube 0:00 / 2:36 C-shaped flossing Red nails 328 subscribers Subscribe 1. Use waxed floss or dental tape. In fact, many. Step 3 Floss both sides of every tooth. Dental floss is strung over the device to make flossing easier. Use your thumb and index fingers to hold the floss in place. Step 3 Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. com C-Shape Flossing Tutorial. Slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth. Hold the floss against the tooth. Now, wipe the floss up and down. Last Updated: January 9, 2023 Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications Helping your children have healthy teeth and gums for life starts with teaching them proper oral care. Tooth decay and gum illnesses can develop when plaque is allowed to establish up on teeth and along the adhesive line, and cleaning with teeth removes the plaque that can lead to,Slide it gently between two teeth, form a C-shape around one tooth, and then slide it up and down five times, applying more pressure on the upward stroke. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when inserting the floss between the child's teeth. Repeat this for all the spaces between your teeth. Gently slide the piece of floss down between the teeth to the base of the gums, below the gumline. “Proper flossing involves wrapping the floss in a ‘c-shape,’ and covering as much surface area of the tooth as possible. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and make it into a circle. The purpose of flossing is to remove debris and bacteria from two places brushing cannot reach: 1. They have rounded edges everywhere. 1,2 By removing plaque from between your teeth and slightly below your gum line, flossing plays an important role in helping to maintain your overall health. Free RadiKal invented the Element reusable floss pick; On a side note: while we think the Element is the best reusable floss pick for a lot of reasons, do consider the other options in the rest of this guide to ensure that it’s the best reusable flosser for. Move the floss in a sawing motion from side to side, rather than only up and down the sides of the teeth. Step Five: Repeat Steps Three and Four. Bend the floss into a C-shape around the tooth when the floss reaches the gum line, allowing the floss to reach all the way to the base of the tooth. Flossing tutorial - C-Shape flossing technique3. It is commonly recommended for you to complete a C-shaped motion around each tooth when. Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it into a "C" shape around the base of the tooth and gently under the gumline. Use Colgate's techniques and products for brushing and flossing teeth. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth. You’ll want to contour the floss around the tooth in a C shape and slide it up and down, making sure you rub the back of the tooth as well. g. Stay. This helps you scrape the most plaque and buildup stuck to your tooth so you can get them clean. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. If you don't floss how much bacteria do you not remove? 30-40%. Do this up to the gum collar, but don’t go too high, as this may cause gums to bleed. Use a gentle "rocking" motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Repeat this process, using a clean inch of floss as you move to different teeth. Used to remove plaque and debris from under fixed bridges, orthodontic wires, and retainers. Then, have them hold the floss between. Use The Right Technique. Then move the pick from side to side to remove additional buildup. Although teeth able be cleaned by brushing, it is not effective in reaching the adjacent tooth surfaces - slipping with dental floss can do this successfully. , 28 Liberty Street, 7th. In this video, the c-method of flossing is demonstrated. "How To Use The Miracle Smile Flosser. Step 4: Be sure to brush gently along the gum line. Hours. Use of an interdental cleaner (like floss) is an essential part of taking care. When flossing I wrap around on one teeth and pull it out, but despite doing that I still have plaque laying there, so I have. Disposable floss sticks are a nice alternative to conventional string flossing especially if you have trouble reaching those pesky back teeth. Floss Picks with Holders (Y-shaped or Knife-shaped) These are great for patients with small mouth openings who have difficulty reaching their back teeth. When you get to the gum line form a C-shape and slide the floss down. Cleaning between your teeth may help maintain your oral health in two main ways. 5. Dispense about 45 centimetres of floss. When done correctly, flossing removes bacteria in parts of your mouth that brushing can’t get to. Then move the floss gently in a back and forth and up and down motion. Flossing is tedious but vital to your teeth. I use a Panasonic EW1611 water flosser because I think it's better than a Waterpik. 40 subscribers. Use firm but comfortable pressure to insert the floss between your teeth. To get each tooth completely clean, wrap its sides entirely with floss. Gather about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your two pointer fingers (or middle fingers), leaving a couple inches in the middle to use. flossing every day. Once between the teeth, curve the floss into a C-shape, pressed tight against one tooth. Hold the floss between your thumb and index fingers, leaving three to four inches exposed for flossing. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like during appt, have patient teach back, siwak and more. Dental floss (or dental tape) and other interdental cleaners (e. Dental Floss and Flossing Methods. Use Colgate's techniques. Rice and chicken, or rice and sausage, etc. "The onset of gingivitis can take as little as 24 hours," Dr. Be sure to use a new section of floss for each tooth. Do not snap the floss into the gums. Step 3: Be sure to floss both sides of every tooth. You want to feel the floss go gently below the gum line but don't force it. Teflon floss. It can also improve overall oral health by removing. Don't forget the backs of your last molars. A flossing stick resembles a stick and is the most effective when wound tightly onto it. Flossing with unwaxed products can be difficult. Insert the floss or tape between the next two teeth and clean the surfaces in the same way. Cleaning between your teeth may help p. Floss holders differ from floss picks in that they are slightly larger, and they require the floss to be manually threaded onto the device. Use motion to get any gunk out of your. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. floss holders. Make sure that you're flossing in a "C" shape to remove excess food and bacteria from those hard-to-reach crevices! Flossing correctly can help prevent the spread of infection, strengthen your gums, maintain longer-lasting fresh breath, and more!Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like siwak, bone, hog hair and more. Slide the floss between two teeth and in a C-shape. Slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends people utilize C-shaped flossing. gently curve the floss around your gums (like a C shape) to adequately get between your teeth and gums. Floss daily. Next, slide the string or tape up and down against the tooth and beneath the gum line. What motion is used when flossing? C-shape. Step 3: Angle the floss into a 'C' shape so it curves around each tooth and slide the floss along the side of the tooth and under the gumline. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums. Next, rub each side of the tooth gently using up and down motions as you move the floss away from the gums. “Make a C-shape to hug the side of the tooth, and move floss up and down five times, going slightly below the gums. Clean between your teeth once a day using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush. . . When using these, the handle helps you position with floss between the teeth. Gently slide the piece of floss down between the teeth to the base of the gums, below the gumline. Metal braces shred certain types of floss. 4. Clean between your teeth once a day using floss, a flossing device, or an interdental brush. “Make a C-shape to hug the side of the tooth, and move floss up and down five times, going slightly below the gums. 68 views, 0 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Varsity Dental Group: Flossing Tip - “C” shape flossing In order to effectively clean between your teeth you must “hug”. In dental hygiene and dentistry, this is called "The C-Shape Method" of flossing. Crowns) • Plaque accumulation contributes to: -Unpleasant esthetic appearance -Bad breath -Calculus formation -Breakdown of enamel -Cavity formation -Tooth loss -Gum diseaseOntel Miracle Smile Water Flosser for Teeth & Gum Health, Unique H-Shaped Flossing Head & 4 Water Jets, Cordless Water Flosser Features 360° Cleaning & 3 Pressure Modes, USB Rechargeable Dental Floss. Unwind a small section of floss or tape from one hand and wind it up on the other hand so that you have a clean section to work with. Besides brushing your teeth, flossing is an key part of the process. Once you place the floss between the teeth, you would wrap it around the tooth making a “C” shape. 99 $ 49. Across the board, the dentists we spoke with all speak highly of the floss pick. - 5:00 p. C-shaped Flossing. Most people just push the floss in and out of the gaps between teeth , but this isn't as effective. Tightly, hold the floss against the. Flossing is a key for oral health, but if you’re not following proper technique you could be doing more harm than good. Use a new section of floss and repeat on the other sides of the rest of the teeth. Philips Sonicare Power Flosser is flossing, reinvented. Regular flossing offers many benefits, including preventing gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Strandburg explains. Information generally entails a very slim piece of synthetic cord yours insert also move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. C. Shapeshifting microrobots capable of brushing and flossing teeth. The American Dental Association recommends people utilize C-shaped flossing. Loads of videos online that show you how to do it properly. Standard line floss is best overall. - 5:00 p. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Which of the following is an example of a fixed prosthesis?, Which cast restoration is designed to fit snugly within a tooth preparation, such as a Class II restoration, and covers only a portion of the occlusal and proximal surface?, Which of the following statements is correct concerning porcelain. Wrap it around your middle and pinch between your thumb and index finger; Slide through contact of your teeth, make a “C” shape against the one side of your tooth move up and down about 3 times. The handle is made from biodegradable straw wheat, and the thin thread floss from nylon-4 and a light hypoallergenic wax. The upper part of the Super floss resembles a 10 cm long, strong plastic line with the aid of which the dental floss can be guided beneath the pontic and between the teeth. GumChucks two-handle system allows you to gently glide the floss in between your teeth to reach the “corners” of all your teeth – giving you a clean and healthy smile. K I’ve googled C-shape flossing, have seen multiple videos but still wonder, can I not do that same exact thing with a floss pick. This is an efficient interproximal bacteria and plaque removal method that is suggested for those wi. In addition, it does the least damage to your gum tissue. Use about 18 inches of floss, so you have a clean piece of floss to use on each tooth in the cleaning process. 5min How to look after your baby's first teeth 3min Is water flossing effective? 3min How often should you floss? You should floss once a day, according to. Tip #3. Use about 18 inches of floss, so you have a clean piece of floss to use on each tooth in the cleaning process. Use a new section of floss each time you move to a new space between teeth. To get each tooth completely clean, wrap its sides entirely with floss. Wrap both sides of the floss around the tooth in front, so the floss is hugging the front of the tooth in a C shape. They also work better for patients with compromised dexterity. Tip #2. Make it a habit t. A proxy brush is sometimes referred to as an interdental brush. “Wrap floss around middle fingers, and use your forefinger and thumb to have more control close to the tooth,” explains Dr. Place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Flossing tutorial - C-Shape flossing technique Show more. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. long between the hands. While there's no such thing as flossing too much, flossing too hard can cause gum damage. 618-288-9670Tips For Proper Flossing. Let’s look at how to floss properly step-by-step. Gently move the floss using a slow back-and-forth motion and up and down, including under the gumline. In an ideal world, you’d floss every time you brush your teeth, which would be at least twice a day—morning and night—and maybe a third if you brush after lunch, too, Lindsay Marshall, D. Cut a piece of floss that’s 18-24 inches long. Holding the floss in a “C” shape, floss into your gumline at the base of your tooth as well as flossing the sides of each. Bring the floss gently down to where it stops while applying pressure towards the tooth. and more. Wrap each end around your middle fingers. V-shaped spillway space next to the contact area of adjacent teeth, narrowest at the contact and widening toward the facial, lingual, and occlusal contacts. The Benefits of Flossing Essentially, flossing allows you to clean portions of your teeth that are inaccessible to a. 4. [1] Its regular use as part of oral cleaning is designed. Add to Cart. Helps prevent gum disease. Move the floss up and down both teeth. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape. Iafolla says, which is why flossing once a day is recommended. Posts are of women only that are 18 +. Lowenberg. • Use about 18 inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite middle finger. B. Don’t forget to floss the back sides of your back teeth on both the left and right of the upper and lower teeth. What food choice effects your teeth. Dental professionals encourage using the C Shape flossing technique! GumChucks, making flossing faster, easier, and more effective. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about any debris, bacteria or plaque going unaddressed. Wipe the tooth from base to tip two or three times. 3. You might find this a relief if flossing isn’t one of your favorite activities. The Element gives you this ability to “floss like a dentist” and hug each tooth with a C-shape as you floss. You should cover about half the diameter of the tooth from each angle. According to the Indian Dental Association, oral hygiene. Flossing correctly involves wrapping the floss around the front of your tooth in a C shape. Step 16. Once the floss is on the gumline, form a C shape that curves around one tooth. To effectively use tooth floss, it is recommended to follow these tips and tricks: firstly, use a long piece of floss and gently slide it between your teeth, making sure to curve around each tooth in a C-shape motion; secondly, floss at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles that may be missed by brushing; thirdly, choose the. Palmer. Do Electric Flossers Work?3) Hold the unwound floss tightly between your index fingers and thumbs. Introduction. , small brushes, special wooden or plastic picks, sticks or water flossers) removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it has a chance to harden into plaque. Removing plaque is crucial to your oral health, as it contributes to many dental problems if left unchecked. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Prevention. Sure you floss everyday, BUT are you doing it correctly? Watch a tutorial on the C-shape flossing technique!We of course prefer traditional floss, but in a pinch a floss pick works, as long as you're using them correctly. Lifted slightly and wrapped the floss in the opposite direction in a Cshape over the adjacent tooth. 2 Flossing tutorial - C-Shape flossing technique 3. Curve the floss around the side of the tooth to make a C shape as you wrap it around the tooth. $49. snap. thewisdomtoothsite. Take a piece of floss that’s about 18 inches long. Hold about two inches between your fingers. I’m open to trying loose floss again but this pain/annoyance used to be the reason I quit. You should cover about half the diameter of the tooth from each angle. Shop today & collect Advantage Card Points for every pound you spend. When I began flossing 3 years ago I watched a few videos where they showed that you (gently) push the floss between your teeth, form a c-shape on both sides and move the floss up and down. What is a major contributor to dental decay? Streptococcus Mutans. never ____ the floss between teeth. Using Dental Floss with a Floss ThreaderI personally use a water flosser in addition to regular flossing with the floss I mentioned and a Gum Flossmate to hold the floss for me. Dr. . Water Flosser vs. Pull the floss so it presses tightly against the side of your tooth. getting regular dental checkups. Because they do not have bristles on them, you’re only relying on a slight scraping motion to get rid of bacteria, which might not be. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands. Then push the floss up and down making. Using your thumbs and forefingers, guide the floss between two teeth. Flossing is the key to having a healthy mouth, especially with braces. Then make the C-shape around the adjacent tooth up and down to clean the. Protect the margins of the preparation. "Since no regular string floss is as easy to use or breath-freshening," Lorch explained, "through licensing AWESOME FLOSS®ers are likely to upgrade if not cannibalize most of the world's regular string floss. Floss Picks. Study sets, textbooks, questions. Step 1: Hold a short length of floss between the thumb and index finger, twining it around one finger at each end to gain better control. Alternatively, they concluded that dental picks made of synthetic materials can reduce plaque build-up, but not gingivitis symptoms. Avoid snapping the floss as it can hurt sensitive gums. Be careful not to let the floss snap or “pop” between teeth. Hold the floss firmly between your thumb and forefingers. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between your teeth using a sawing motion. In fact, it can bruise or scratch the gums.