What Is Flossing About?

According to Cambridge Dictionary, Flossing is the practice of cleaning between your teeth using dental floss. It is also stated that a regular flossing is essential for healthy gums.   Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit. It is an habit that helps clean and dislodge food stuck between your teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth.   Plaque is a sticky film (that looks like cream) that builds up on the teeth and causes gum diseases, bad breath and tooth decay if not well managed.   Even though a lot of people brush their teeth daily, some even do it twice daily. Yet not everyone flosses their teeth as regularly as they brush.   So now that you know, I need to tell you that it’s not about simply flossing. It is important to do it correctly or else you will be damaging your teeth and gums.  

What are the steps to follow?

So for the purpose of been a good dental friend, here’s an easy to follow step on how to floss.  

1. Cut out 18 to 24 inches that’s around 46 to 61 cm of dental floss. A length long enough so you can easily grip it while using.

 

2. Wrap the end of the floss around your middle fingers, this would help control of the floss movement around your teeth.

 

3. Now hold a small part of the floss between your thumbs and forefingers. The remaining part will be going around your tooth one after the other.

 

4. Next is you are going to place the dental floss in between two teeth. And gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don’t glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums.

 

5. When the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth.

 

6. Repeat the steps as you move from tooth to tooth. With each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.

  Congratulations we just flossed our teeth. Now you may want to ask what type of loss should you use.

Flossing: Types of dental floss

Well there are two types of dental floss from which to choose:   – Nylon (or multifilament) floss which is either waxed or unwaxed and may tear if your teeth has tigh contact points. – PTFE (monofilament) floss is more expensive but slides easily on your teeth. But when used properly both floss are good are the job.

What are the benefits of floss?

Digging out a lingering piece of popcorn or removing some leftover spinach from between your teeth feels really good.   But, in addition to helping your teeth and gums look and feel good, flossing also has many other benefits. Let’s look at these benefits in more detail.  

1. Gets rid of plaque

Plaque is a colorless sticky film that collects around and between your teeth and along your gumline. Although it’s difficult to see, plaque isn’t something you want lingering in your mouth for very long.   Regular flossing can help remove food particles from around your teeth, as well as plaque that’s built up between your teeth.  

2. Reduces the risk of cavities

Tooth decay can result in a cavity, which causes a tiny opening or hole in the hard surface of your teeth known as enamel.  

3. Helps prevent gum disease

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. One of the first signs of gingivitis is inflammation around your gums. Your gums may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.  

4. Reduces bad breath

Bad breath is a very common problem that may reduce self-esteem and socialization. But flossing is one of the tools you can use to keep bad breath away.  

5. May help your heart health

Good dental hygiene doesn’t only benefit your teeth and gums. It may benefit your heart health, too. Just know that, flossing your teeth is a simple, low-cost way to help boost your oral hygiene as well as your overall health.  

How often should you floss?

The ADA recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day. And it would be of personal if you either floss before brushing or after. At it totally depends on your comfort and timing.

Conclusion

Flossing helps prevent plagues and tooth decay from damaging our dental care and it can be done at least once in a day before or after brushing. But if you notice bleeding while flossing do ensure you contact your dentist.   We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information check our services or visit DDH-Divine Dental Home at 8B Fabac Close, Off Ligali Ayorinde St, Victoria Island, Lagos, NIgeria