Cleaning teeth with dental floss — flossing — is an important element of oral hygiene. Floss cleans and removes food that is stuck between the teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. How should dental floss be used and why is it important?
Although many people brush their teeth every day, not everyone uses dental floss. Of course, simply using dental floss is not enough. It is important to use it correctly. Incorrect use of dental floss can potentially damage the teeth and gums.
Dental Floss: Instructions for Use
- Cut or tear off approximately 30–45 cm of dental floss from the spool.
- Wrap most of the floss around the middle or index fingers of both hands. Wrap most of the floss around the index finger of one hand, and a small part around the middle finger of the other hand.
- Leave only 5–10 cm of free dental floss between your fingers.
- Tighten the floss with your thumbs and index fingers.
- With your thumbs and index fingers, grasp the working section obtained and insert it into the space between the teeth. Act carefully, without sudden movements or excessive pressure, so as not to injure the gums.
- Guide the floss with hand movements along the wall of the tooth: for the lower jaw — from top to bottom; for the upper jaw — from top to bottom.
- Each interdental space should be treated twice: first the surface of one tooth, then the other.
- Use a new clean section of floss for each tooth.
Dental floss may be sold together with holders in the form of “slingshots,” which may be easier to use.
It also does not matter where you start cleaning: from the upper or lower teeth, or from the front or back. Just make sure that you clean all interdental spaces with dental floss. Flossing should also be done along the sides of teeth bordering spaces where teeth are missing — food particles can get there as well.
The back teeth are more difficult to reach and keep clean than the front teeth. The back teeth have grooves and cusps that help chew food, but they can also collect small food particles, which may increase the risk of caries and bacteria in dental plaque, which in turn may lead to gum disease.
How People with Braces Should Use Dental Floss
Flossing when you have braces can be difficult and takes more time. If you use regular floss, devote 10–15 minutes to the process. For this method, choose waxed floss, which is less likely to tear or get stuck in braces.
Instructions for Using Dental Floss with Braces
- Cut approximately 45 cm of waxed dental floss.
- Stand in front of a mirror to make sure the floss is directed where you need it.
- Start by threading the floss between the teeth and the orthodontic archwire. Wrap the free ends of the floss around your index fingers so that you can move the floss easily.
- Insert the floss between two teeth as carefully as possible. Then move the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth.
- When cleaning the upper teeth, try to form an inverted letter U with the floss. To do this, move upward from one tooth until you reach the gumline.
- Then move the floss down along the side of the other tooth.
- Carefully remove the floss and pull it out from behind the wire.
- Avoid pulling the floss out sharply from the tooth, as you may displace the wire.
- Now move on to the next two teeth and use the same technique until you have flossed between all teeth.
In addition to using waxed floss, there are other options that work well for people with braces. For example, superfloss.
When Dental Floss Should Be Used
Some people usually brush their teeth first and then use floss. However, it is generally recommended to use floss first and then brush the teeth.
Dental floss helps lift and release food debris and dental plaque stuck between the teeth, while brushing removes these particles from the mouth.
If you brush your teeth first and then use dental floss, food and plaque remain in the mouth until the next brushing.
Types of Dental Floss
There are several varieties of dental floss. Which type of floss is best for you depends on your preferences, the amount of space between your teeth, and whether you have braces or bridges. Some types of dental floss are easier to use in large spaces, while other types of floss are easier to use in narrow areas.
Different types of dental floss include:
Dental tape. This type of dental floss is wider and flatter, like a ribbon, which makes it easier to use if you have braces, gaps, or large spaces between the teeth.
Standard floss. This is a thin nylon thread that can fit between the teeth. It may be flavored or unflavored, as well as waxed or unwaxed. If your teeth are crowded or located close to each other, wax-coated dental floss may make it easier to pass between them.
Superfloss. This type of floss consists of three parts: a stiff end for convenient insertion of the floss into hard-to-reach areas, spongy floss for cleaning around braces, and regular floss for removing plaque below the gumline.
There are also oral irrigators, which use water and pressure to remove plaque and food from the spaces between the teeth. Some of them are portable and battery-powered, while others are stationary and powered by the electrical network. This option is excellent if you have problems using regular floss. These devices are also useful if you have braces.
Good oral hygiene involves more than just brushing the teeth. It also includes the correct use of dental floss. Dental floss helps remove bacteria, dental plaque, and food between the teeth, and also reduces the likelihood of caries and gum disease.
However, incorrect flossing may lead to unpleasant consequences, so it is important to be thorough but careful. You can always ask your dentist for advice on how to use floss correctly.
Along with regular brushing and flossing, plan regular professional teeth cleaning and dental examinations.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.