Although dental floss can cause injuries and bleeding if we do not know how to use it correctly, the truth is that it is the ideal complement to complete our oral hygiene.
When we go to the dentist, we are likely to be told to floss after brushing or eating. This is because there is no other object that cleans interdental dirt and therefore it is essential to maintain good oral health now with dental floss. In this article we tell you all about the advantages and disadvantages of using this element. Ready? Go for it!
How To Use Dental Floss Correctly?
It is good to know that the use of this floss prevents many gum diseases. By removing plaque between the teeth, it preserves the general health of the mouth. If food debris is not removed, bacteria can attack tooth enamel, cause bad breath, or lead to the loss of one or more pieces.
It is true that many times we are tired or busy enough to take the time required to floss. However, this habit is more than beneficial and worth trying. In order for you to take full advantage of it, you will have to learn to use it in the correct way.
Time To Choose:
Choose the thread that suits your needs. Do not ignore the recommendations of the dentist, your personal preferences and the shape of your mouth. You can get them with or without flavor, waxed or without wax, for all tastes.
When you are going to use it, you should cut about 45 centimeters and wrap the ends several times around your index fingers. Also hold with your thumbs. In total you will use about 8-10 centimeters inside your mouth: it is important that this part is tight. Thus, when passing between the teeth you will eliminate the plaque.
How Should We Proceed?
- The ideal movement is the saw, back and forth, several times and reaching the gum.
- At that time you should move the floss in a “C” shape towards the tooth.
- Hold well and go through the side of the tooth and remove it.
- All maneuvers must be smooth so as not to hurt the gums or cause bleeding.
- Then repeat the same procedure with the other teeth and molars. Don’t forget any of them! When you finish, use mouthwash or warm water to remove the remains that have remained in the mouth.
How Long Does The Process Take?
It may bore you a bit to spend so much time in front of the bathroom mirror, but you can, for example, take the opportunity to do it with some music to make it more enjoyable. In this way you will not forget to fulfill the routine on a daily basis.
With these minutes every day the rewards are wonderful: keeping our teeth and gums healthy for longer and avoiding oral diseases. Of course, this is not the only thing we must do to comply with good oral hygiene.
We should also brush our teeth, at least when we get up and before going to sleep, change the brush every 3 months and visit the dentist twice a year.
Is Dental Floss Used Before Or After Brushing?
This is a very frequent question in the consultation with the specialist. And with good reason, because it could be valid to floss both before brushing our teeth and after. Dentists have arguments for and against both routines.
If you are going to incorporate dental floss into your hygiene routine, or if you have been doing it for some time and the doubt of before or after brushing has arisen, pay attention to these statements.
Before Brushing:
Using the thread before the brush allows the bristles to cover with the fluoride of the toothpaste those areas that they could not otherwise reach, because they would be covered with food debris. Flossing loosens plaque and bacteria, leaving the toothbrush free to complete the clean.
After Brushing:
Waiting to floss after brushing may mean that we have forgotten to comply with the routine and perhaps it is more likely that we will go to bed without completing the complete cleaning. We think that brushing has been enough. The truth is that the thread removes everything that the brush could not reach.
For dentists, the fact that we floss is already enough, regardless of the exact moment in which we do it. There are even people who only remove food remains with it, without brushing, for example, if they are in the office or on the street.
Use both resources before bed because at night is when bacteria develop more easily and cause infections. If you had to choose, you might want to floss first, then brush with toothpaste.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that although studies published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology have shown that the use of dental floss is more beneficial in children than in adults.
Why? Mainly because the elderly do not know how to use it correctly and cause injuries that later turn into infections: only 8% of patients manage to reduce gingivitis.
The thread does not have the ability to remove the bacteria that accumulate in the teeth and cause cavities. Even so, it is a fantastic ally for oral hygiene.
