I am sure you are aware that brushing of teeth is important, at least twice a day. But do you know that aside from brushing your teeth, you need to floss twice daily? Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments used in removing dental plaque and food from between teeth in areas a toothbrush cannot reach.
Flossing is important for oral hygiene. It cleans and removes food that is stuck between your teeth, reducing the amount of plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth and contains bacteria causing gum disease.
Floss is commonly recommended to help prevent gingivitis and plaque buildup. The American Dental Association stated that flossing can help remove up to 80% plaque and it may bring specific benefits in people with orthodontic devices. However, there is limited empirical scientific evidence that demonstrates the clinical benefit of flossing as an adjunct routine to brushing.
Tooth flossing is usually recommended to people with tight interdental spacing specifically because there is every possibility that some food particles might be trapped which may not be easily removed through tooth brushing or rinsing.
Why Is Tooth Flossing Recommended?
If plaque is not removed, it can slowly accumulate between toothaches forming hard deposits known as tartar. Both plaque and tartar cause dental issues like inflammation of gums which causes ailments like periodontitis and gingivitis. Plaque trapped in between teeth causes various dental issues like:
- Tooth decay is the decay of tooth structure
- Gingivitis is known as swelling of the gums causing bleeding from gums
- Periodontitis causes damage to teeth supporting structures such as bone and ligaments
- A general reduction in oral health can manifest in various symptoms like tenderness, pus formation, and inability to chew food.
- Deranged dental health can lead to the oral conditions mentioned above as well as causing severe medical conditions which includes cardiac disease and even preterm labor.
What Type Of Dental Floss Is Right For You?
There are different types of dental floss however, the two types of floss you can choose from are:
- Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) (monofilament) floss
- Nylon (or multifilament) floss
The nylon floss is available as waxed and unwaxed. Then waxed floss filaments are bound together, while the unwaxed floss has individual filaments. For the nylon floss, unwaxed floss is considered the best because it cleans more effectively. The Nylon or multifilament floss compose of many strands of nylon which may sometimes shred or tear specifically between teeth with tight contact points. While the single filament (PTFE) floss slides between teeth easily, even teeth with tight spaces, and does not tear. Depending on the individual, you can decide to choose either of the two. Both are good at removing debris and plaque.
If you find it hard making use of regular floss, you can try water flossing, floss picks, or other flossing tools. Whichever you chose, cleaning gaps between your teeth will enhance your dental health and keep your smile sparkling.
What Is The Best Way To Floss Your Teeth?
Now that you know that flossing is beneficial to your dental health, you might be thinking of how to do it the right way. Flossing is good for removing the plaque and debris between your teeth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
According to the American Dental Association, tooth flossing is recommended at least once a day. Below is a series of sequential steps which one can follow:
- Tear off a piece of floss of about 18 inches and wrap around the middle finger of both hands.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and fingers.
- Once the floss is in between the teeth and at the gum line turn it around the neck of the tooth making a C- shaped curve.
- Then you should position the floss in between your teeth with a gentle rubbing motion and ensure you do not push the floss directly into the gums. Do this for all areas of your mouth.
- Rub the floss gently against the tooth and slide it away from the gum in an up and down motion.
- Follow these steps for each tooth
- After completing this procedure, discard the floss. Do not use the floss again after it has been used because it can reintroduce the bacteria in the gums.
However, if you’re already having dental issues, you should be looking for a dentist in Worcester or one near you so they can examine your teeth and recommend some treatments.
Should You Floss Before Or After Brushing Your Teeth?
A dentist based in Illinois, Leslie B. Wardell, DDS, said that you should floss before brushing. “The bacteria in your mouth grows faster at night in the dark, warm atmosphere of your mouth,” he explains. The number of bacteria in your mouth will more than double when you sleep. For instance, if you go to bed with two billion bacteria in your mouth, you will wake up with four billion bacteria.
Basically, you should consider using your string floss first in the morning. You have to get rid of the acidic bacteria quickly by flossing away grime and plaque, then brushing for a spotless finish.
