When going to the dentists, there's a chance you'll have been reminded about the importance of flossing.
Scotland's NHS Inform says flossing is "as important as brushing" when it comes to removing plaque. Despite this, the health organisation stated one third of people have never used dental floss.
And of those who do floss regularly, some don't know the best way to floss and may be doing it 'wrong' according to some dental experts.
To help make sure you aren't doing things incorrectly, The Mirror spoke to Dr. Khaled Kasem, a chief orthodontist at Impress to see what mistakes were common. Dr. Khaled Kasem explained you should use an "upward and downward" movement on each side of the tooth when flossing.
"The most important thing to remember is not to go forward and backward," the expert says. "The movement should be upward and downward as this way you can clean the part of the tooth where the brush doesn't reach."
Another mistake you'll want to avoid is being too forceful with your flossing.
Dr. Kasem continues: "Don't force the gum, this is crucial. Make sure you're not putting too much pressure on the gum, or you can lose the gum and cause what we call 'black triangles' between the teeth."
Be sure to use different parts of the floss for cleaning each side of each tooth. Using the same section you've already removed plaque with could end up rubbing it back into your gums.
Dr. Kasem recently also shared the food and drink that you should avoid before an appointment with your dentist.
He suggested avoiding garlic as well as drinks such as coffee, tea, Coke and red wine as they might stain your teeth. acidic drinks such as orange juice are best avoided after your appointment as the acid could harm your sensitive teeth.
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