Every time you visit the dentist for cleaning, the expert lectures you about the importance of flossing. Right, but who cares? You will listen to their advice and forget it. This is because flossing fails to give immediate relief and thus, patients think it doesn’t really do anything. But in reality, flossing helps in removing the sticky plaque from the teeth by almost 40%. Plaque generates an acid that causes cavities and gum diseases. Therefore, flossing is very important to stop building up of plaque.
What the stats say
Possibly 80% of people on this planet have some form of gum disease. Tooth decay is four times more common than asthma in children aged 6 to 11 and in adolescents aged 12 to 19. Also, every 9 out of 10 adults above 20, suffer from one form of tooth decay or another.
This will not be the case if you maintain proper dental hygiene.
How frequent you I floss
Flossing is an essential part oral hygiene to take care of your gums and teeth. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends flossing the teeth at least once a day to remove plaque from the areas between the teeth, where the toothbrush can’t reach. Undoubtedly, most of us hate flossing, but it really does help to preserve the aesthetics and health of your smile. Here are some tips for flossing:
- Technique: It is suggested to use the piece of floss that is 15 to 1 inches long. Slide in between the teeth and wrap it around each tooth in the C shape. Polish the teeth in an up and down movement.
- Ignore the blood: If you notice blood, don’t worry. It just indicates that the gums are inflamed and there is plaque build-up that needs to be cleaned.
- Use floss holder: If you don’t want to use the hand dexterity to floss, rely on the soft wooden plaque removers that are quite similar to a toothpick.
- Be gentle: Poor floss technique often results in complications and it is important to be gentle especially while using electric flosser. Read the instructions well before using it. In case you are uncertain, ask for help from an expert.
- Timing: To be honest, there is nothing like the right time to floss. You can floss anytime in the morning or evening as per your preference. Some might prefer to floss before bedtime so that the mouth remains clean for hours together. As per the ADA, it does not matter, if you floss before or after you brush. Though, if you floss before brushing the teeth, the spaces between the teeth also get cleaned and the fluoride penetrates better and increases the protection cover.
What Floss To Use?
There are two types of floss to choose from:
- Monofilament floss or NYLON: It is available in unwaxed and waxed variants in a number of flavors. As this floss is made of several strands of nylon, it might shred or tear between the teeth.
- Multifilament floss or PTFE: This floss is made up of a single filament and thus, it slides easily between the teeth even with tight contact points.
With proper flossing and regular dental care, you will be able to maintain healthy gums and teeth. So, never miss on it.
