Flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene that helps remove food particles and plaque from the close gaps between the teeth. Not removing these may cause cavities or tartar buildup, which may require expensive dental treatments. Hence, preventing them is better than getting complicated dental treatments. This is a detailed guide on flossing techniques and principles, which you can include in your oral hygiene practices for better oral health.
Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing Properly
Choosing the Right Floss: The type of floss that is best for you depends on your personal preferences. You can choose from traditional nylon floss, waxed nylon floss, floss picks, or water flossers. Traditional floss is thin, while waxed floss is thicker but glides more easily.
Note: However, it's better to consult the dentist before using floss, as it may cause bleeding to your gums. Your dentist will examine your oral health and recommend the best floss for you.
Step 1: Take Enough Floss: Take the optimal amount of floss from the roll, about 18 inches, to ensure you have enough length to clean between all your teeth.
Step 2: Wrapping Floss Around Fingers: For better control over flossing to clean your teeth, wrap the floss thread around both your index fingers and hold your index finger and thumb together.
Step 3: Gently Guide Floss Between Teeth: Once you have a proper hold of the floss, gently glide it between your teeth without snapping the floss or damaging the gums. Avoid flossing your teeth too hard.
Step 4: Curve the Floss in a C Shape: While flossing, curve the thread at the base of each tooth to clean any plaque and food buildup at the base.
Step 5: Unroll Fresh Sections of Floss: While flossing your teeth, unroll fresher sections of floss from the 18 inches of floss you have rolled in your hand to avoid the germs that have accumulated in the used sections from getting in touch with the fresh sections.
Flossing Mistakes to Avoid
Flossing is important to maintain good oral hygiene, but some mistakes can cause oral problems. One common mistake is flossing too aggressively, hoping to get it done quicker. However, this can cause damage to the gum, creating a portal for germ infestation. It is also suggested not to neglect flossing under the gumline, where unseen plaque buildup can be present, which needs to be cleaned. Other common mistakes include flossing only certain teeth and occasional flossing, making you more vulnerable to cavities.
Flossing for Different Dental Needs
Braces: If you have braces, interdental brushes can be a great option for cleaning teeth effectively. Floss threaders can also be good cleaning tools for braces wearers. This special orthodontic floss allows you to clean thoroughly around the braces, ensuring optimal cleaning.
Sensitive Gums: If you have sensitive gums that bleed easily, use waxed floss that glides easily between teeth and is gentle on the gums.
Dental Implants or Bridges: Special floss or floss threaders are required to clean around dental implants or bridges. These can help clean the teeth without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Floss Alternatives for Those Who Struggle with Traditional Floss
If you find it difficult to floss with traditional flosses, alternatives such as water flosses, interdental brushes, or floss picks can be used for easier cleaning. Water flosses use water to clean the spaces between teeth, making them suitable for people with sensitive gums or braces.
Flossing can do that when brushing is not enough to clean all areas of the teeth. Regularly flossing can clean the gaps between teeth, where food and plaque accumulate, and lead to tartar and cavity formation, maintaining long-term oral health.
If you are looking for an expert dentist in Andheri West who can educate you on the importance of dental health, then look no further than My Smile Dental Clinic. Schedule a consultation with our expert for more information.