Flossing is a fundamental practice in oral hygiene, targeting areas a toothbrush cannot effectively reach. It removes the sticky film of bacterial plaque and trapped food debris from between the teeth and beneath the gumline. Regular removal of this material helps prevent common issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, and persistent bad breath. Understanding the correct length of floss to use is essential for an effective daily routine.
The Recommended Length
Dental professionals recommend using 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) of floss for each session. This length provides enough material to clean the entire mouth properly. It is not used all at once, but supplies sufficient clean segments for every section. This measurement is roughly the distance from a person’s fingertips to their elbow, offering an easy visual guide. Using a generous length prevents the need to reuse contaminated sections, which undermines the cleaning process.
Managing the Floss for Effective Use
After pulling the recommended length, manage the floss correctly to create an effective working length. Wind the majority of the floss lightly around one middle finger, which acts as the supply spool. Wind a small amount around the middle finger of the opposite hand, which serves as the take-up spool for used material. This technique frees the index fingers and thumbs for precise control. The actual working length used to clean the teeth should be short, typically only one to two inches held taut, allowing you to maneuver the floss gently and maintain the tension needed to form a “C” shape around the tooth’s curvature.
The Importance of Using a Clean Segment
A long strand of floss is required because a fresh, clean segment must be used for every new interdental space. Plaque is a bio-film teeming with bacteria, and reusing a soiled section relocates these microbes and debris. This defeats the purpose of flossing, which is to physically remove the material. As you finish cleaning a space, the used portion of the working length must be spooled onto the take-up finger. Simultaneously, a fresh section is unwound from the supply finger to replace the contaminated segment. This continuous rotation ensures you consistently introduce a clean surface to disrupt and remove bacterial colonies.