National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

What common oral hygiene practice involves the correct method for flossing teeth?

1. Flossing quickly to save time

2. Using flavored floss for better taste

3. Flossing after brushing

4. Flossing in a "C" shape around the teeth

The correct answer is: Flossing in a "C" shape around the teeth

Flossing in a "C" shape around the teeth is the correct method because it allows the floss to wrap around each tooth, effectively removing plaque and debris from both sides as well as from beneath the gumline. This technique enhances the efficacy of flossing, ensuring a thorough clean in areas that are otherwise difficult to reach. Using this method helps to prevent gum disease and cavities by ensuring that the spaces between the teeth and below the gumline are adequately cleaned. It also promotes healthy gum tissue and contributes to overall oral health. Other practices, while they may have their merits, do not prioritize effective cleaning. For instance, flossing quickly may improve efficiency but compromises the thoroughness needed for effective plaque removal. Using flavored floss can make the experience more pleasant, but flavor does not enhance the mechanical cleaning action required for effective flossing. Flossing after brushing is often debated; however, flossing before brushing is typically recommended to allow fluoride from toothpaste to access the surfaces between the teeth after they have been cleaned with floss.