Ever wondered why do dentists recommend flossing once a day? Must be good right?? But what’s the reason behind this strong recommendation??

Well, let me answer that for you today.

Flossing covers the regions of your teeth that a tooth brush can’t reach!

So, it helps to remove any food particles stuck between the teeth thus cleaning off the bacteria.

Lesser bacterial load = Lesser cavities = Increased Gum health, and thus- no bad breath!

Brushing and flossing should always be caaried out together. Not flossing your will lead to cleaning only 65% of the teeth surfaces. That’s equivalent to cleaning a glass only from the outside but not inside (I know right?)

Correct method of Flossing:

There are several types of dental flosses available and each has a different mode of use.

The most common,however, is the threaded dental floss, which is like a thin string that can be manoeuvred easily.

TECHNIQUE:

Take approximately 16-18 inches of the floss, roll it around both your middle fingers and use your thumb and index finger to gentle pass the floss in between the two teeth. Hug the teeth with the floss and gentle pass it to the whole length of the teeth. reapeat the process in between all the teeth. 

It does need a learning curve, but once you get a hang of it, it doesnt take long.

Quick Tip: 

Always floss before you brush, so that all the food particles and tartar are dislodged before you brush, also, this will avoid you forgetting to floss altogether.

Types of Floss

There are several types but the most common ones are

• unwaxed dental floss :

these are thin strings made up of nylon

• waxed dental floss- the string is coated with wax to allow easy passage between the teeth 

• Floss Picks/ floss Holders: these are small plastic devices with a curved end that holds a tiny piece of floss to avoid holding the tread and wrapping it around your fingers. I usually do not recommend these since they generate a lot of plastic waste.

• Dental tape: is wider and thicker than the standard thread floss. used when the gaps are wider between teeth.

•  water flossers: These are oral irrigators that spray water in between your teeth. these are a great option for those who have trouble with traditional flossing.

Visit your dentist to know which one would be most beneficial in your case.

Does flossing also help in improving overall health?

flossing definitely directly helps in improving your overall health since it prevents gum disease. Gum disease is linked to multiple health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, complications during pregnancy etc.

your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, so maintain good oral hygiene practices! May the “FLOSS” be with you!