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SIMPLIFIED FLOSSING TECHNIQUE Flossing is essential, No matter how hard the bristles of your brush are or aggressive the Along with brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day helps |
How many times to floss ?
Flossing at least once a day is advisable,alongwith brushing twice a day..
When should you floss, before or after brushing your teeth?
1.You should floss your teeth daily before brushing.
2.If you are only going to floss once a day, the best time to floss is in the evening before you retire.
Why should you floss?
1. Flossing helps to clean your teeth surfaces.
2. Helps in the prevention of gum disease and tooth decay.
3. Prevention of periodontal diseases.
4. If you brush without flossing, you miss nearly 40 percent of tooth surfaces.
5. Think if you consistently fail to wash 40 percent of your body, sooner or later, people will notice. The same thing happens in your mouth as bacteria build up between your teeth, it will lead to bad breath and gum disease.
It takes patience and time to learn the art of flossing correctly.
A good dental professional will show you how to floss properly.
If they don't offer to show you, ask. There is no dental floss that is better than another.
The type of dental floss you use depends solely on your personal preferences.
What are the types of floss available ?
1. Waxed floss
2. Unwaxed floss
3. Teflon or PTFE floss
4. Flavored floss
5. Floss picks
6. Dental tape
7. Super floss
Let's have a look at each of this floss:-
1. Waxed floss is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating. It is more prone to shredding so it can last long but being hard it is not suitable for teeth with close contacts.
2. Unwaxed floss is thin nylon floss made of about 35 strands twisted together. It is ideal for teeth with close contacts but it is more prone to shredding.
3. Polytetrafluorethylene floss (PTFE) is the same material used in high-tech Gore-Tex fabric. This material can be used for long time as its less prone to shredding and being thin it can easily go in between tight contacts too.
4. Flavored floss are flavored with mint so they can be used in kids to train them floss habits from childhood as its flavored children are more likely to try them or even in adults who prefer floss with good taste.
5. Floss picks are easy to use but they are only use to remove food particles they cant be reused as it will reintroduce the particles whichwere removed.
6. Dental tape is broader and flatter than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions. It is suitable for people with many spaces in between teeth.
7. Super flosses are made from yarn-like material that has stiffer sections on each end that can be used to clean around braces or dental bridges or All on 4 implant cases.
What is the correct technique to floss ?
To floss correctly, follow the steps below to enjoy clean, disease free gums and teeth.
1.Cut a piece of floss approximately 18 inches in length. Wind the floss around your two index fingers, middle fingers, or thumbs. Decide which combination is most comfortable to you.
2.You need to hold the floss tightly, leaving approximately an inch in between your fingers holding the floss.
Next, guide the floss between teeth removing plaque and debris by moving the floss up and down against each tooth.
3.Floss down to the gum line. At this point pull the floss into a U-shape against the tooth. Carefully slide the floss between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance.
Be careful to avoid the triangular papilla between the teeth.
4.Hold the floss against the tooth. Carefully scrape the tooth's side, moving the floss away from the gum.
The cleaning takes place on the outward sweep, so don't traumatize yourself trying to get the floss in to tight places. In order to clean both sides, insert the floss twice into each space between your teeth.
5.You
will now want to repeat this
for all of your teeth. As you approach the back teeth, get a fresh section of
floss. Make sure you get all your teeth even though some may be difficult to
reach.
5 Steps to a Flawless Floss with images
STEP 1Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.
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STEP 2
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Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. |
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STEP 4
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STEP 5
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Just like when you brush your teeth too hard, damage to the gums can occur, so be careful to avoid flossing too hard against the gum line. If you have not flossed for a while, you may find that your gums bleed and are sore for the first few days when you start flossing.
This does not necessarily mean that you are being too aggressive. Bleeding gums are common when you are first starting but will heal as the plaque is broken up and the bacteria are removed. After flossing for several days, your gums will toughen up and shouldn't bleed.
[1]https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/Flossing%20Steps
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