The recommendation to floss daily is well-known, but only 40% of Americans follow this recommendation. While flossing infrequently is a big mistake, it's not the only flossing mistake that you could be making. To protect your oral health, don't make these three lesser-known flossing mistakes.

Reusing Floss

Reusing floss may seem like an easy way to save money, but it's actually a bad idea to use the same strand of floss more than once. When you reuse floss, you could deposit bacteria into your mouth and end up with oral infections. Floss can also get caught on your teeth and become frayed, and when this frayed floss is reused, you could cut your gums. Plus, frayed floss may be less effective, so it won't remove plaque and food particles as well as a fresh strand of floss would.

To floss effectively, remember to use a brand new piece of floss for each flossing session. Once you're done, throw the floss in the garbage.

Not Flossing Along Your Gum Line

Floss lets you clean the spaces between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach, but that's not its only job. Floss is also designed to reach beneath your gum line and remove plaque and food particles that are trapped in that area. Cleaning this area is an important part of keeping your gums healthy and preventing gum disease.

When you floss, always remember to floss along your gum line. You can do this by curving the floss around the bottoms of your teeth. Be gentle so that you don't cut your gums or cause bleeding.

Not Considering Floss Alternatives

If you have trouble using regular floss, don't assume that flossing isn't possible for you. While you may not be able to hold floss, there are other options that you may be able to use instead to clean between your teeth and along your gum line.

Oral irrigators, which produce a steam of water, are one alternative way to floss your teeth. These devices have handles, so they may be a good choice for people with limited hand dexterity who have trouble holding regular floss. Interproximal brushes, which have a bristled-brush on one end and a handle on the other, may be easier than floss for people with wide gaps between their teeth. Ask your dentist about alternative ways to floss your teeth.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, don't make these three flossing mistakes, and visit a dental clinic, such as Parker Family Dental, often.