Flossing Teeth
Flossing plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral hygiene. It effectively eliminates food particles lodged between teeth, minimizing bacteria and plaque buildup, thereby reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. However, despite regular tooth brushing, many individuals neglect regular flossing. Statistics reveal that only about 40% of Americans floss daily, with 20% never flossing at al.
Simply flossing isn't sufficient; proper technique is essential to prevent potential harm to teeth and gums. Therefore, understanding the correct flossing method is crucial. While brushing effectively removes plaque from tooth surfaces, it doesn't reach interdental spaces or below the gum line. Hence, incorporating flossing into your daily routine is vital to ensure comprehensive oral care.
Dentists recommend flossing twice daily to effectively remove leftover food particles and plaque from hard-to-reach areas, complementing tooth brushing for optimal oral health. In this blog, we will try to understand how to floss correctly, floss with braces, types of dental floss, floss with floss picks or other techniques, and more.
Should I floss before or after brushing my teeth?
Find a time when you can give your teeth extra attention, whether it's morning or after lunch. Ideally, you should floss twice a day.
Avoid causing pain while cleaning between teeth. Flossing too hard can damage tissue, while being too gentle may leave plaque behind. With practice, you'll discover the right pressure. If flossing is still painful, consult your dentist.
Flossing: How To Floss Properly?
- Begin by tearing off 18 inches of dental floss and winding it around your middle fingers, leaving three inches free between them.
- Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers to control it effectively.
- Carefully slide the floss between your teeth, being cautious to avoid harming the gums.
- Form the floss into a C shape at the base of each tooth to thoroughly clean beneath the gum line.
- Gently move the floss up and down against each tooth surface, applying outward pressure to avoid the gums.
- Switch to a clean section of floss for each tooth, adjusting your grip as needed to reach all areas, including the back molars.
- Ensure you're removing plaque by checking the floss as you pull it out.
- Keep the floss taut by unrolling a new length from your fingers and dispose of the used sections.
- Continue this method around all teeth for comprehensive cleaning.
Flossing: How Can You Floss With Braces?
Effective flossing is crucial for maintaining dental health, particularly with braces. Follow this detailed guide to floss correctly with braces:
- Start with 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss, which is less prone to snagging or breaking. Wax helps the floss glide smoothly between teeth and braces wires.
- Position yourself in front of a mirror to see exactly where the floss needs to go. This helps in guiding the floss accurately.
- Thread the floss between the teeth and around the main wire of the braces. Secure the ends around your index fingers for better maneuverability.
- Carefully work the floss between two teeth, moving it up and down along the sides of each tooth. For upper teeth, angle the floss into an inverted U shape, and for each tooth, move from the gum line down the side of the next tooth.
- Remove the floss gently to avoid dislodging any parts of the braces. Repeat this process for each gap between your teeth.
Since flossing with braces is more involved, consider alternatives like water flossers or floss threaders for ease and efficiency. These tools can greatly simplify the process and improve your flossing experience.
Flossing: How to Use Floss Picks?
Types Of Flossers
Choosing the right dental floss is crucial for effective oral care, particularly if you have braces, bridges, or varying spaces between your teeth. Dental floss varieties cater to different needs and preferences, helping ensure your teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
- Dental Tape: Ideal for those with larger gaps or braces, dental tape is broad and flat, designed to navigate wider spaces easily. This format is gentle on the gums and easy to handle, making it a practical choice for those with dental appliances.
- Standard Floss: Available in both waxed and unwaxed options, standard floss is a thin nylon strand perfect for tighter spaces. Waxed versions glide more smoothly between closely spaced or crowded teeth, aiding in effective plaque removal without damaging the gums.
- Super Floss: Specifically engineered for orthodontic needs, super floss consists of a stiffened end for threading under appliances, a spongy part for cleaning around them, and regular floss for reaching beneath the gumline. This multi-component floss is essential for those with braces or bridges.
- Electric or Water Flossers: For those who find traditional flossing challenging, electric or water flossers offer a convenient alternative. These devices use water pressure to clean between teeth and along the gum line effectively. Water flossers are particularly beneficial for individuals with braces, as they can reach around brackets and wires without hassle.
- Disposable Floss Picks: These are great for on-the-go use and can easily reach the back teeth, simplifying the flossing process especially for those hard-to-reach areas.
Types Of Threads Used In Flossers
Selecting the right dental floss involves understanding the different materials available, each designed to cater to specific dental needs and preferences.
- Dyneema Floss: A relatively less known but highly effective option in dental floss is Dyneema. Known for its exceptional strength and durability, Dyneema floss is made from high-performance polyethylene fiber, which is extremely strong yet smooth. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a robust floss that resists shredding and snapping, even in tight spaces between the teeth. Its smooth texture also ensures it glides easily between teeth, minimizing irritation and discomfort during flossing. Dyneema floss is especially suitable for individuals who experience frequent breaking or fraying of traditional flosses.
- Nylon Floss: This multifilament floss is both durable and versatile, available in waxed or unwaxed versions and in various flavors. However, because it is made of multiple strands, it can sometimes tear or shred, particularly in tight spaces between teeth.
- PTFE Floss: For those with closely spaced teeth, monofilament PTFE floss is an excellent choice. This type of floss is made from a single strand, allowing it to slide smoothly between teeth without fraying or breaking, making it nearly shred-resistant and more reliable for tight gaps.
FAQs
Q: How often should you floss?
A: Dentists recommend flossing at least once a day. Ideally, you should floss twice a day. This helps to remove plaque and food particles that your toothbrush can't reach, preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
Q: Do I floss before or after brushing?
A: There is some debate over whether it's better to floss before or after brushing. However, flossing first will loosen and remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth before brushing, allowing the toothpaste better access between teeth. However, the most important thing is that you do both regularly. Whether you floss before or after brushing, ensure you do a thorough job each time.
Q: How do you floss correctly?
A: To floss properly, use about 18 inches of floss. Wind the floss around each middle finger, leaving 3 inches to work with. Gently press the floss between each set of teeth and slide it up and down along the side of the tooth and under the gumline. Use a new section of floss for each tooth to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
Q: How do you floss with a permanent retainer?
A: To floss with a permanent retainer, use a floss threader or specialized orthodontic floss. Thread the floss under the wire of the retainer, gently move it up and down against the side of each tooth, and slide it under the gumline to remove trapped food particles and plaque.
Q: How do you floss teeth with braces?
A: When flossing with braces, use waxed floss with a floss threader or an orthodontic flosser designed for braces. Thread the floss under the archwire of the braces, floss between each pair of teeth, and carefully remove the floss without snapping.
Q: How to use a floss pick properly?
A: Hold the floss pick handle and guide the floss-taut part between your teeth. Gently saw back and forth to insert it, then slid up and down against the tooth surface and just under the gumline. Discard the floss pick after use.
Q: How do you floss with a water flosser?
A: Fill the reservoir of the water flosser with lukewarm water, choose an appropriate pressure setting, and aim the flosser tip at the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline. Move systematically from one tooth to the next until all teeth are cleaned.
Q: How often should you replace your floss picks?
A: Floss picks should be used once and then discarded. They are designed for single use and may accumulate bacteria or lose their effectiveness if used multiple times.
