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Flossing removes plaque (A sticky, colorless layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth) and debris from between the teeth especially near the gum line.  It's important that you use floss to clean these areas thoroughly because tooth decay and gum disease often start in these areas where your toothbrush can't reach.

Flossing is a skill that can be developed with a little practice.  Don't be discouraged with your first flossing attempt; after a while flossing will take only a few minutes of your time.

	1. Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers.  Using a loop of floss may be easier for children. 2. Wind the rest around the same finger of the opposite hand.  This finger can "take up" the floss as it becomes soiled.
	3. Use your thumbs and forefingers with an inch of floss between them to guide the floss between your teeth.

4. Holding the floss tightly (there should be no slack), use a gentle sawing motion to insert the floss between your teeth.  Never "snap" the floss into the gums!  When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance.
5. While holding the floss tightly against the tooth, move the floss away from the gum by scraping the side of the tooth.  6. Without removing the floss, curve it around the other tooth and scrape it too.  Scrape floss down on upper teeth and up on bottom teeth.
7. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

Flossing Hints

Think of your mouth as four sections.  Floss half of your upper teeth, then the other half; do the same for your lower teeth.  Establish a regular time and pattern for flossing, so you won't miss any of your teeth, any day.

Your gums may bleed and be sore for the first five or six days you floss.  As the plaque is broken up and the bacteria are removed,  the gums heal and the bleeding stops.  If you stop flossing for a while, your gums may become infected and bleed again.

If the bleeding does not stop in a few days, consult your dentist.  Improper flossing may be injuring your gums.  Remember to be gentle when inserting floss between your teeth and under the gum line.