While teeth are cleaned by brushing, it's not very effective in reaching nearby tooth surfaces. Hence, adopting flossing, a technique for cleaning teeth, is a good option alternatively. The process involves using a small thread-like piece known as floss to scrub away areas that are hard to reach by brushing.
When should you brush your teeth?
The recommended frequency for flossing is twice daily. Flossing should be performed at least once per 24-hour time frame. However, there is no set time for flossing when individuals have the time to floss correctly; they can do it. It is an ideal time to floss in the evening so that food particles left over from earlier in the day will be eliminated.
Floss is not to be shared like the toothbrush because it may introduce bacteria into the mouth. Some people are concerned about reusing this floss for more than one time after drying and washing since the oral bacteria may not be able to survive in dry conditions. But floss may be unable to maintain its cleaning power after one use and may release bacteria within the mouth. This is why it is advised to utilize a floss piece only once.
The benefits of brushing after flossing are that it is more efficient because, during the brushing process, toothpaste has direct access to the teeth. Also, when we swallow it and wash it often, it aids in removing any debris that is in or within the teeth.
A common mistake made when flossing is using the same hands used to manipulate the floss. While this may be a breeze to floss your front teeth, this may cause difficulty in reaching the back teeth. Additionally, using a shorter piece may hinder the effort.
Techniques for Flossing
- Cover about 18 inches around your two middle fingers. The remaining floss can be tied with the fingers you prefer to use in your other hand. Keep the floss in place between your thumbs and forefingers. This can help liberate the index and thumbs since these fingers manipulate the floss. Splitting the two tasks - holding and bending the string- makes flossing much more accessible.
- The floss must be moved between the teeth by gentle rubbing movements and bent towards one tooth until it is in contact with that gum line. The floss should be gently moved through the gums and tooth.
- The floss should be positioned tightly against the tooth and then rubbed across the tooth's surface using an easy up-and-down motion. The process should continue till the rear of the final tooth is attained. Repeat this procedure with the rest of your teeth.
- A new piece of floss should be used whenever plaque forms on it.
Another way to clean between and around teeth is to use water flossing. It's a hand-held instrument that sprays water continuously to clean the teeth, as traditional floss. For individuals who wear braces or permanent fix bridges that are fixed, the water flosser is a huge help. It has been proven that flossers made of water are safe to use and efficient in removing dental plaque.
Also Read How to Care Properly for Your Toothbrush?
The technique of using floss holders
Specific individuals may be unable to remove the plaque from the posterior teeth, the adjacent areas of their posterior teeth, or interdental spaces. Another factor to consider is that improper floss usage could result in injury or even harm. It is recommended to use the floss holder since it can be helpful to those who have difficulty controlling their dental floss.
Step 1: Switch your floss holders from the left to the right. Gradually slide the floss towards the gingival edge and then press it on one of the adjacent tooth surfaces.
Step 2: Slowly slide the floss upwards and down, sweeping it over the surface of your tooth, starting at the most profound part of the gingival sinus, and push the floss with a firm grip against the adjacent tooth surface.
Clean other surfaces of the adjacent teeth by the above steps.
Oral - Flossing devices
People who wear orthodontic appliances may have difficulty flossing. The best option is to use floss, which helps to eliminate dental plaque on adjacent surfaces of the teeth.
- The hardened end is pushed across the space between the teeth and the device.
- Then wrap the other end of the floss around your middle fingers and hold it tight between the thumbs and forefinger of both hands. Leave approximately 2 centimeters of floss between.
- Make sure you pull the floss into the space between the teeth using an arc of sawing.
- Wrap the floss around a tooth in a "C" shape, and pull down until you reach the deepest point between your tooth and gingival tissue. Slide between the teeth and then clean the surface.
- Wrap around the tooth adjacent to it and repeat the process.
There isn't any definitive and unchanging guideline to pick the best floss type. The two main factors to take into consideration when choosing the right floss are the length of the floss as well as its ease to use. Many people believe that as we grow older, we'll eventually lose our teeth. But, if we keep our gums and teeth healthy, teeth are accessible throughout our lives.
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