Brushing teeth properly and consistently helps to remove most dental plaque, but, brushing alone cannot remove plaque that is located in between teeth or other places that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing not only removes plaque from your teeth, it also helps with the following:
- removing debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth
- polishes tooth surfaces
- controls bad breath
It is recommended to floss at least once a day to be most effective.
Floss Type
It doesn’t matter what kind of floss you choose to use. The oral benefits remain the same – daily flossing is the single most important way to fight against plaque, some claim its even more important than the toothbrush. The different types of dental floss include:
- waxed and unwaxed
- flavored and unflavored
- wide and regular
Different Methods of Flossing:
You can receive a demonstration of the following methods from a dentist. They include:
- spool method (also called the finger-wrap method)
Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 to 20 inches in length. Lightly wrap each side of the piece of floss several times around each middle finger. Next, carefully maneuver the floss in-between the teeth with your index fingers and thumbs in an up and down, not side-to-side motion. It is best to bring the floss up and down making sure to go below the gumline, forming a "C" on the side of each tooth.
- loop method (also called the circle method)
Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 inches long, and tie it securely in a circle. Next, place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Then, use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, making sure to go below the gumline, forming a "C" on the side of each tooth.
Flossing can be time consuming, but it is well worth your time. It can save you thousands of dollars in dental work for only three minutes a day of cleaning between your teeth. Always remember to floss!!
