While brushing your teeth is crucial for a healthy mouth and beautiful smile, brushing alone does not do much. Flossing your teeth removes bacteria and food debris between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Without proper flossing, bacteria form plaque that, if left on, becomes tartar and can lead to gum disease. Please continue reading this blog to learn the proper way to floss.
Defining Flossing
Flossing is cleaning between your teeth and between your gums and teeth with dental floss.
The goal of flossing is to disrupt the accumulation of plaque before it becomes calculus.
In addition to food debris and water, bacteria in your mouth can accumulate as plaque (a film-like, sticky substance) around your teeth and along your gums. Plaque can also form on surfaces of dental prosthetics, including crowns, implants, and dentures. Failing to remove plaque properly can lead to the formation of calculus and, later, gingivitis.
The onset of gingivitis can take as little as 24 hours, and calculus formation can begin immediately afterward. However, it varies with patients.
Calculus is mineralized dental plaque that forms when calcium deposits from saliva absorb into soft plaque accumulation. You cannot remove it with flossing or brushing; a qualified dentist can remove it with dental cleaning equipment. If the calculus remains untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, an inflammation that pulls your gums away from your teeth. It can also destroy the gums, tissues, and bone that support your teeth. Finally, severe periodontitis can result in tooth loosening and, ultimately, tooth loss.
Brushing is Inadequate
Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes every time is the initial step in keeping the gums and teeth healthy. However, brushing your teeth alone, even with the best toothbrush, cannot clean them. That is why the American Dental Association recommends flossing your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food particles.
Your tooth has five surfaces: distal, mesial, lingual, occlusal, and buccal. Your toothbrush can reach only three surfaces, but not the distal or mesial surfaces. The two surfaces are in close contact with the opposite sides of your other teeth, making food debris easy to stick there.
While long-term research on flossing is somewhat limited, scientists have discovered the benefits of flossing from short-term research. For instance, a review of the latest studies discovered that home use of interdental brushes or floss on top of toothbrushing might reduce plaque or gingivitis more than brushing your teeth alone. Nevertheless, the research, like most previous studies, measured results in the short term. Flossing is a quick, low-cost way to remove buildup from hard-to-reach areas your toothbrush misses.
A Guide on How to Properly Floss Your Teeth
Flossing is beyond snapping your floss between your teeth, since it does not do much. Mastering the correct technique is more effortless than you comprehend. Here are the steps to follow:
- Ensure you have a considerable quantity of floss, approximately eighteen inches or a length from the elbow to your hand. The length ensures that you have clean sections for all your teeth, and you do not transfer plaque from one area to another.
- Wind a significant part of your string towards the middle fingers. It leaves the thumbs and index fingers free to guide your floss. Work with a one- to two-inch segment. The grip allows you to be effective and gentle.
- Next, gently slide your floss between teeth with a gentle sawing motion. Avoid snapping the string down to the gums; the fast motion can result in bleeding and irritation.
- After the floss reaches the gumline, curve the string into a “C” shape, and wrap it around the side of your teeth. Slide the floss under your gumline until you experience some resistance (you are removing the plaque and food particles that a toothbrush can never reach). The “C” shape is the secret to a deeper cleaning.
- Do this step on every side of all teeth. Utilize a clean floss for every tooth by detangling it from your middle finger and winding the utilized string section onto your other middle finger.
Mistakes to Avoid
If you have been flossing and feel like you have not been achieving your intended results, it could be because you have been flossing the wrong way. Here are common mistakes to avoid:
- Being rough —Most patients snap their floss down between the teeth and see it forth and back aggressively. It can irritate your gum tissues, resulting in unnecessary bleeding or tooth recession. Your goal is to clean your teeth, not to scrub. The sawing motion also misses plaque hidden below your gumline.
- Another error is using the same piece of string for all teeth. Doing so transfers bacteria from one area to another.
Why Do Your Gums Bleed When You Floss
Bleeding is an understandable concern. It indicates mild gum inflammation (gingivitis). It occurs when plaque accumulates along your gumline, resulting in irritation. The bleeding means you should floss consistently and avoid stopping.
After you begin flossing daily and gently, you remove the plaque accumulation. The bleeding should stop within one week as the gums become stronger and healthier. However, if it persists or is heavy, consult your experienced dentist for a review.
Do not neglect the molars. While it can be tempting to focus on your front teeth, your molars may be more prone to plaque buildup because they are hard to reach. Make an effort to floss every tooth daily.
Common Flossing Issues
Flossing your teeth can feel challenging at first, and it is normal to experience some issues. The section below discusses these issues and how to address them.
- Your floss is getting stuck or shredding—you might have rough tartar accumulation or a filling, or your teeth might be very tight. You should consider using a different kind of floss, including monofilament floss or waxed tape. If the issue persists, you should contact your dentist for a checkup.
- You experience sore gums after flossing —You might be snapping your floss into the gums or applying a lot of force. You can address the issue by using a gentle C-shaped motion and allowing the floss to remove plaque without force.
- It is challenging to reach your back teeth— It is a dexterity issue. Using a floss pick, water flosser, or floss holder can make it easier to reach the areas.
It is advisable to floss before brushing; it removes plaque and food particles that are tightly stuck between the teeth. It opens up the spaces and allows toothpaste fluoride to enter them, making your toothbrushing more effective.
Remember, the most essential thing is flossing daily, thoroughly, and consistently. Pick a time of day to give your teeth extra attention. If you are fatigued at night, try flossing after lunch or in the morning.
Flossing Effectively with Braces
Braces create small crannies and nooks around and in teeth where plaque and food debris can hide. Tooth brushing can miss these areas. Flossing removes plaque and food particles around the brackets and between the teeth, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
The section below discusses different flossing methods you can consider.
Floss Threader
You do the following:
- Cut a piece of waxed floss approximately eighteen inches long.
- Thread your floss via the loop of the floss threader.
- Insert your floss via the loop of your floss threader.
- Wrap your floss around your finger for easy control.
- Slide your floss between teeth, making a back-and-forth motion along the sides of every tooth.
- Repeat the process for every tooth.
Using an Orthodontic Flosser
A flosser tailored for braces is easy to use and compact. It has a stiff end that guides your floss under the wire. Here is how to utilize it:
- Put the flosser’s stiff end under the wire.
- Slide your floss between the teeth and move your floss up and down along every side of every tooth.
Water Flosser
A water flosser is gentle on your gums and ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach regions. Below are the steps on how to utilize it:
- Fill your flosser reservoir with water.
- Choose the right pressure settings.
- Put the tip of the flosser in the mouth and turn the gadget on.
- Move the tip between the teeth and along your gumline.
- Spit the water out as you proceed.
Several techniques and tools can make flossing with braces more seamless, including the following:
- Stay away from specific foods that can damage wires on your brace and bracelets. Drinking and eating sugary drinks or foods can lead to plaque. Plaque can be hard to remove with dental floss while wearing braces. These things include nuts, chewing gum, hard crackers, and popcorn.
- Consider using an electric toothbrush to remove bacteria from your tongue, gums, and teeth. It removes sufficient plaque to reduce the damage from falling to use floss often.
What to Use to Floss Your Teeth
According to research conducted by Ipsos for Waterpik, alongside the American Dental Association, scientists found that individuals admitted to utilizing folded paper, forks, hair strands, cardboard, and safety pins to remove food debris between their teeth.
Regrettably, these things are not the most effective tools for flossing. They are harmful and can inflict pain.
Regrettably, there are numerous effective, safe flossing tools. You can select either a traditional dental floss (a smooth strand of Teflon or nylon), dental picks, water flossers, or small brushes.
To determine the right flossing tool, consult your skilled dentist and try various options to see what works best for you. Most patients find that String Floss is effective. Small brushes or dental picks can be suitable for reaching your out-of-the-way areas.
There are also pre-threaded flosses with brushes or picks at one end, providing you with multiple ways to reach between your teeth.
You can consider using a water flosser, which utilizes a stream of water to remove plaque and food particles if other tools fail to work.
Should Your Child Floss?
Flossing must be part of the baby’s oral care routine once they have two (2) teeth that touch. Initially, you will have to floss the minor yourself. Typically, children take over when they are ten, when their hands can hold cleaning equipment, including the floss.
Assisting your child with flossing can be hard, but a little creativity can help get them engaged. Here are tips on teaching your brush to floss:
- Floss to the beat —Rather than setting a time, play music while the child brushes. Pick tunes they love—any upbeat track will work effectively. Dental health routine apps and music videos can be effective as well.
- Offer simple rewards to motivate your child —Does your child love seeing points adding up for a new book, going on a trip, or seeing stickers on a reward chart? Choose rewards that are your child’s favorite activity and appropriate for their age. You can also reward your child by telling them how proud you are of them and give them a high-five or hug once you are done.
- Storytelling can help—You can create a tale to inspire your child while they floss. Make them a superhero who removes bad people who cause tooth cavities and saves the world by giving people healthy, beautiful teeth and smiles.
- Floss with your child—Take time after meals or before going to bed to floss with your child. Your child learns from you. Therefore, ensure you model a healthy oral care routine that you follow, irrespective of how tight your schedule is. A family that follows a healthy daily care routine together has more reasons to smile
Find a Preventive Dentistry Practice Near Me
Flossing removes food debris and bacteria stuck between your teeth, preventing the accumulation of plaque and development of tooth cavities. With the right flossing techniques, tips, tricks, and equipment, flossing can go a long way toward enjoying healthy gums and teeth, and maintaining your overall dental health.
The committed dental team at The Lakewood Dentist can dedicate quality time to teach you the right flossing technique in a hands-on, practical way. We can help choose the right flossing equipment, advise you on its benefits, and answer your questions. Please contact us at 562-423-1441 to start your journey towards beautiful, functional teeth, gums, and mouth.