How to use a dental floss pick correctly？

1. Core principles: comprehensive, gentle and powerful

The key to using a dental floss pick is to allow the floss to completely wrap around every surface between the teeth and penetrate deep into the gum edges but avoid violent injury.

Detailed explanation of usage steps
Step 1: Preparation
Wash your hands.
Take out a floss pick. The handle of a floss pick.

Step 2: Put it between teeth
Gently and slowly slide the floss part of the floss pick between your teeth.
Do not use force to force the floss between your teeth to avoid damaging your gums.

Step 3: Clean the first tooth surface (take the tooth on the right side of the gap as an example)
After the floss enters the gap between the teeth, place the floss close to the adjacent surface of one of the teeth (such as the side of the tooth on the right).
Let the floss form a "C" shape, wrapping around the sides of the teeth.
Along the side of the tooth, from the deepest part of the gum (you will feel a little bit surrounded, but it should not be severe pain) to the biting surface of the tooth, gently scrape the tooth surface up and down 4-5 times. This action can "scrape" the plaque attached to the sides of the teeth.

Step 4: Clean the second tooth surface (the left tooth in the same gap)
In the same gap, now place the floss against the adjacent surface of the tooth on the other side (the side of the tooth on the left).
It also forms a "C" shape to wrap around the teeth.
Repeat the up and down scraping motion from the inside out 4-5 times.

Step 5: Take it out and move it to the next gap
Gently pull the floss pick sideways from between the teeth.
Rinse your mouth with clean water or rinse away the dirt scraped from the floss pick under the tap.
Continue using the same floss pick and clean the next space in the sequence, making sure not to miss any space (including behind the last tooth).

2. Precautions for using dental floss picks

Be gentle: The purpose of using a floss pick is to scrape away plaque, not saw through teeth. Violent use can cut or cause gum recession.

Pay attention to gum health: It is normal for your gums to bleed slightly when you first start using a dental floss pick. This is usually a sign of gum inflammation. After a few days of consistent use, the bleeding will stop as the gum inflammation subsides. If bleeding persists, a dentist should be consulted.

The "squeaking" sound is not the goal: Many people think that hearing the "squeaking" sound is clean, but in fact it is just scraping off large pieces of food residue. Silent, comprehensive cleaning of the tooth surface is the key to removing plaque.

Don’t reuse a floss pick: One floss pick is designed for a complete oral cleaning. Repeated use will bring bacteria from one tooth gap to another, causing cross-infection.

Floss picks vs. regular floss: Floss picks are more convenient, especially for new teeth and back teeth. But regular rolled floss allows you to use clean segments at any time, which may be more hygienic. There is no absolute advantage or disadvantage between the two in terms of cleaning effect. The key lies in whether they are used correctly.

Timing of use: It is recommended to use it before brushing your teeth, so that loose plaque and food residues can be removed together with brushing. If you are used to using it after brushing your teeth, remember to rinse your mouth with water at the end.