5 Easy Steps for Flossing your Teeth and Preventing Cavities

1. Use 12 to 18 inches of floss and grasp it so that you have a couple inches of floss taut between your hands.
2. Slip floss between teeth and into the area between your teeth and gums as far as it will go.
3. Floss with at least 8 to 10 vertical strokes to dislodge food and plaque.
4. Floss at least once a day. The most important time to floss is before going to bed.
5. Floss before you brush your teeth.

The hardened plaque or calculus that build up along the gum line can’t be removed by flossing and brushing alone – It is important to have your teeth cleaned every six months by your dentist.