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Cut a piece of dental floss 45 cm (18 in.) to 50 cm (20 in.) long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle finger, until your hands are about 5 cm (2 in.) to 8 cm (3 in.) apart.
Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape, and gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth without scraping will not remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.
Use a fresh section of floss as you go from tooth to tooth.
Current as of: November 13, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffClinical Review BoardAll Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review BoardAll Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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