Almost everyone has some experience with flossing. In the past, maybe you told your dentist you would floss daily, only to forget about it as soon as you left the office. Or maybe your flossing routine consists of using the dental string apparatus only when food gets lodged between your teeth. Most of us struggle with getting the flossing habit down. But why is it so important to get in the habit of flossing?
Those small gaps between your teeth are no different than the small dusty areas in your house that get ignored and are actively creating a problem. That’s exactly what plaque is: a problem. And today, we’ll focus on the true positive aspects of flossing, why dental floss should be a part of a daily routine, and even provide some advice on how to floss with braces. You’ll be flossing every day with confidence, and it won’t even seem like a burden.
Why Flossing is Important for Your Dental Health
Think about brushing your teeth as washing the outer surfaces of a vehicle. Sure, it looks clean and presentable. But what about all the dirt and grime that stays stuck in the tiny ins and outs of the outer surfaces? Eventually, all that dirt and grime will lead to oxidation. That’s how your mouth will be as well.
1. Floss Creeps What Brushing Can’t Reach
As advanced as the technology may be around toothbrushes, they can’t squeeze in between teeth. This is where plaque resides incognito, slowly hardening into tartar. This is the real benefit of flossing and bacteria. A quick flossing routine eliminates the bacteria before it becomes a large-scale issue.
2. It Aids in the Prevention of Cavities Between Teeth
Most cavities develop in silence, without anyone even knowing until pain surfaces. Flossing daily removes any and all debris, which keeps these tight spaces clean and lowers the risk significantly.
3. It Lessens the Inflammation of Gums
If your gums bleed during the process of flossing, this is not a sign to stop. In fact, it is your gums saying, “Help Me!” Inflammation is a sign of these issues, and the fix is simple: more normal flossing.
4. It Helps with The Maintenance of Fresh Breath
When particles from food items are stuck between teeth, and as they sit, they eventually cause bacteria that produce odors. Flossing is the solution to this issue and keeps your breath naturally softer.
The ease with these simple habits makes the importance of flossing extreme.
How To Floss Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
One of the reasons people avoid flossing is that they don’t know if they are doing it correctly. The proper techniques of how to floss correctly are a lot easier than one may expect.
Choosing the Right Floss
The following will help you choose the floss that is best for you:
– Waxed floss
– Unwaxed floss
– Dental tape
– Flavored floss
These get the job done. Pick the floss that feels the best to help you keep using floss on a regular basis.
Flossing Step by Step
- Dentists recommend using about 18 inches of floss (yes, it is longer than you might think).
- To get used to you managing that amount, you can wrap most of the floss around one finger and a little bit around your other.
- Glide the floss gently between your teeth, and for the teeth that have a “gap” (which means a flossing space), shape the floss to make a “C” around one of those teeth and pull it so that the floss slides up and down the side of that tooth.
- Once that is done, you can repeat the method for the other tooth with the gap, and then pick a new section of floss.
These techniques take a maximum of one minute to do and make a big difference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Snapping the floss too hard
– Flossing only on occasions when food gets stuck
– Using the same piece of floss for your entire mouth
Once you know how to use the floss the right way, the process of flossing will be able to be done quickly, and it will be way more gentle.
How Often Should You Floss
Most dentists will simply say: “Once a day.”
Nighttime flossing removes the debris that accumulates between teeth throughout the day. Ever skip flossing for a few nights? You’ll notice gum irritation. Just from that, you can tell that flossing is not just for clean teeth, but is for caring for your gums, since irritation of the gums is a sign of gum disease. Keeping the flossing habits won’t just help you clean your teeth, but your gums will appreciate you, too.
If you forget flossing most nights, just start off with a couple of nights a week. It’ll get easier over time.
How To Floss With Braces
Flossing might seem a little more challenging than some other things when you or your child has braces. Wires, brackets, and the small spaces can all feel a little more time-consuming, but it is not impossible.
Tools that help
– Floss threaders help get the floss stuck under the wire and let you easily maneuver the rest of the wire so you can thread more than once.
– Super floss is a type of floss that is easily maneuverable. It is great for braces since some versions come with a stiffer end specifically for passing between tight things like the horizontal wires and bracket.
– Water flossers double as a fun way to interact with the braces while also getting the stuff stuck around the brackets.
The Process
Thread the floss under the archwire, and go C-style around the tooth like you would the rest. It will take a little extra time, but being easy and efficient with braces means good gum care paired with good teeth cleanliness.
You just have to remember that, unlike braces, gum disease isn’t temporary. Therefore, learning to use dental floss during orthodontic treatment is one of the best things you can do.
Flossing vs. Brushing – Which One Matters More?
The truth is that you need to do both.
Brushing is going to clean the outer surfaces of your teeth, remove the majority of the plaque, and get fluoride to where the enamel needs it. You can think of brushing your teeth as washing your hands and flossing as cleaning the dirt from under your fingernails. – Truly clean and necessary.
Some people feel it is better to brush first, others feel very strongly about brushing after; it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that both of these actions, and moving them to your mouth, quickly become second-nature daily activities.
Together, you can remove up to 80% of plaque.
Dental Floss Alternatives (For People Who Hate Flossing)
Some people hate dental floss. And that is completely understandable. Thankfully, in this time, many people are coming up and discovering easier ways to do dental flossing.
For example:
* Water flossers
* Soft picks
* Interdental Brushes
* Air flossing devices
Final note. While these do not floss the teeth, they do an excellent job of improving dental hygiene and overall dental health. You, especially if you are just getting started at this.
Conclusion
The benefits of flossing are numerous, including fresher breath, healthier gums, and a more confident smile. Flossing isn’t about perfection; it’s about protection. As one begins to understand the importance, flossing quickly becomes a self-care practice!
Start tonight, and floss again tomorrow. You’ll wonder how you skipped it before.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Waterpik better than flossing?
Waterpik is good for removing plaque, but the choice between this and flossing depends on your personal preference.
2. Why do gums bleed when flossing?
Gum bleeding during flossing can be due to inflammation or early gum disease.
3. Why do my teeth hurt after flossing?
Teeth can hurt after flossing due to infrequent flossing and improper techniques.