We all know the importance of brushing our teeth regularly. But, what about flossing? Just so you know, flossing should be included in your oral hygiene as well. Flossing regularly can be a massive help in keeping your teeth clean and healthy.
Flossing is vital because it can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Not only that — it helps remove plaque buildup caused by the bacteria living in your mouth that produce acids and attack tooth enamel. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also increase your overall health.
This guide will help you learn how to floss correctly and why it is crucial to do so. Regular use of dental floss is a great way to clean food residue between your teeth. It is an essential part of any dental care routine.
What is Dental Floss Used For?
Dental floss is used to clean and get rid of the food stuck in the hard-reaching section of your teeth. Brushing alone can’t remove all the plaque that has been caught in between your teeth. While brushing, you use fluoride toothpaste to clean the surface of your teeth and gums. But, when you floss, you remove bits of food and bacteria lodged between the teeth. When eating sugary and starchy food, the bacteria that your mouth gets can turn into plaque that causes gum disease like gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Daily flossing that is done correctly can result in more solid and healthy teeth. Regular flossing can also be linked to your healthy diet and lifestyle. When you floss after eating, it can prevent you from snacking too much. Flossing will not take much of your time, and you can do it anywhere (although you may gross a few people out if you do it in public :). A minute or 2 of regular flossing can give you many benefits in return for achieving healthy and clean teeth.
Is Dental Floss Made Out of Plastic?
A typical dental floss is made out of nylon which is a type of plastic. Dental floss may come in different forms like strings, ribbon form, unwaxed, waxed, or lightly waxed. There are three types of ingredients that big brands widely use to make dental floss. They are nylon, Teflon, and synthetic wax. Some people use a different type of dental floss that suits their teeth. A string of dental floss that is made out of nylon has a thick form. It tends to break or shred into pieces while cleaning between your teeth. If your teeth are tight or close together, or you have gingivitis it may be uncomfortable to use this nylon floss due to its thick form. Nylon floss will cause bleeding of the gums. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is the most popular type of floss globally, which is known by its trade name Teflon. This type of floss does not break or shred easily, unlike nylon floss. It has substantial strength. The polymer which is used to produce a Teflon dental floss is melted to a paste and stretched, resulting in a long thin strand. Many consumers prefer PTFE or Teflon dental floss since it is more potent, slicker, and delicate than nylon floss.
How To Use Dental Floss Properly?
- Get a short piece of dental floss. The shorter, the better. It will give you a better grip to control the siding of the dental floss.
- Put the floss in between your thumb and index finger. You can use both thumbs.
- Take the floss and carefully glide it up and down in between your teeth.
- Don’t let the floss snap down.
- Polish it up and down 5-6 times on the side of each tooth.
- Move to the next area and do the same thing.
- Don’t irritate the papilla (it is the gum tissue between the teeth). Go up and down the side of one tooth and bring it up over to the other tooth. In this way, you are not rubbing it across that tender tissue.
- Move the dental floss to keep it from shredding or breaking.
- Use dental tape, floss, or yarn to fill the space.
You may want to check out the YouTube link below on how to floss appropriately.
Is Flossing Really Necessary?
The dental experts recommend that daily flossing is essential for achieving healthier teeth and gums. Although many people hate doing it, maybe that also includes you; still, you need to floss. When was the last time you flossed your teeth? I know you are guilty, and so am I. Flossing regularly has lots of advantages for your dental health. Not only does it remove plaque, but it also makes your teeth clean and lessens the likelihood of cavities. Flossing is the most effective way of removing bacteria and plaque that toothbrushes can’t reach. We all know that the primary cause of gum disease is plaque. If you want to prevent the development of gum disease, start making it a habit of flossing after meals. By doing this, you are reducing the amount of plaque on your teeth. The best time to floss is at night time. Professional dentists recommend doing this at night since it is the time where you can make time to floss correctly.
Additionally, it may prevent food crumbs from living on your teeth overnight. In this case, you are reducing the bacteria that can cause plaque buildup and tartar. Getting in the habit of flossing is a battle that most people lose. With all of life’s daily distractions, it’s just too easy to forget about our oral hygiene. If you have been putting off flossing because it feels like an awkward chore, then suffer the consequences in the future. We all know that brushing and flossing are essential, but taking the time to do so in a regular, timely manner can be a challenge. But don’t lose hope. Remember that if you follow the steps in this post, you will have better dental health and a life free of dental problems.
