Flossing is the healthiest and most effective tool for cleaning gaps, adjacent surfaces of teeth and food inclusions, but many people still do not know how to use it, or use it improperly, causing gum damage, loose teeth and other negative consequences. So let’s learn how to use dental floss properly! Take a piece of dental floss about 20 cm long, wrap it around the middle finger of each hand, and pull it tight. Use your thumb and index finger to control the floss. Place the floss in the space between the two teeth, apply gentle pressure toward the gums, and pull the floss from side to side so that it slides smoothly into the space between the teeth. Never use violence to press the floss into the gap! Violence can cause damage to the gums and papillae. After flossing into the interdental space, press the floss inward and outward toward the mouth, pull the floss left and right, and gently clean the adjacent surfaces of the front and back teeth up and down thoroughly. Then lift the floss out toward the occlusal surface. Repeat the above steps until you have cleaned each adjacent surface of the teeth. Spending about 10 minutes a day after meals to clean each tooth carefully, together with proper brushing and use of mouthwash, will be very effective in preventing tooth decay and calculus, and further preventing periodontitis. Finally, don’t forget to see your dentist every 6 to 12 months (3 months for children during the teething period) for regular oral health check-ups, prevention is better than cure!