Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Dentists keep repeating the importance of flossing, not without any reason. Although more and more people use dental floss, many people think it is a nuisance or an upper-class whim. If you care about the health of your teeth, never fail to spare the 2-3 minutes flossing might take.
Your toothbrush can remove food debris from the chewing surfaces and the sides of your teeth, but it cannot clean in between your teeth. Plaque accumulated between the teeth can be harmful to your teeth and gum, and it can lead to tooth decay, the mobility or even the loss of your teeth. Using dental floss you can clean areas you cannot reach with your toothbrush.
Chose your floss carefully
There are several types of floss, learn which one is best for you before buying it. If you need help, consult your dentist. Dentists at Fehér Dent Aesthetic Dental Clinic are pleased to help you.
Floss is either made of thin plastic strands or one thicker cylindrical thread, called PTFE. If you have narrow gaps between your teeth, use thin plastic floss that can reach even between crowded teeth.
Both types of floss are available with a wax coating to make it easier for you to slide the floss in between the teeth. Floss picks may seem practical to use, however, they are recommended for experienced floss users, because the hard plastic parts may injure your gum. In addition, the taut string cannot follow the shape of your teeth at gum level, so cleaning with floss picks is less effective.
There flavoured flosses, e.g. with menthol. The added flavour does not increase the efficiency of the floss, it only make your breath fresh.
People who have braces or bridges can use a special type of floss. It has a hard end which helps you guide the floss under the bridge or the braces. Our dentists can help you chose the most suitable floss.
The proper technique of flossing
Once you have bought a suitable floss, learn how to use it properly. Our dentists can help you learn the proper technique.
Use the floss before brushing your teeth. Once you have removed food pieces from between the teeth, your toothbrush and toothpaste can reach into the difficult areas.
Tear off 20-30 cm of floss, it will be enough to clean all teeth. Wind the floss around both middle fingers, leaving a short section between the fingers. Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss between the teeth. Move the floss vertically from the gum line towards the chewing surface. Avoid sawing motions. Repeat 2-3 times before moving to the next tooth. Move the floss slowly and gently so that you will not hurt your gum. Use a fresh section of floss for the next tooth.
For the first few times it may seem complicated, but with practice you will be more and more experienced and the whole process will only take a few minutes.
Get your child to use floss
In order to learn proper oral hygiene as early as possible, teach your child how to use floss as soon as the permanent teeth have erupted.
