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Flossing
Do I really need to floss?
YES. Floss removes plaque and debris
that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes
tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the
single most important weapon against plaque and, in some
ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing
your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping
them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum
disease. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing and
many never have been taught the proper way to floss.
Which type of floss is the best?
Dental floss comes in many forms:
waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and
regular. They all clean and remove plaque. Wide floss,
also known as dental tape, may be helpful for people with
a lot of bridgework and is usually recommended when the
spaces between teeth are wide. Waxed floss might be
easier to slide between tight teeth with very little space
between. The unwaxed floss, however, makes a squeaking
sound to let you know your teeth are clean. Bonded
unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed
floss, but does tear more than waxed floss.
How should I floss?
The spool method: Take an 18-
inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly
around the middle finger. (Don’t cut off your finger’s
circulation!) Wind the rest of the floss similarly around
the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger takes
up the floss as it becomes unusable. Maneuver the floss
between teeth with your index fingers and thumbs. Bring
the floss up and down several times forming a “C” shape
around the tooth being sure to go below the gum line.
The loop method: This method
is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands,
poor muscular coordination or arthritis. Take an 18- inch
piece of floss and make it into a circle. Tie it securely
with three knots. Place all of the fingers, except the
thumb, within the loop. Use your index fingers to guide
the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to
guide the floss through the upper teeth, going below the
gum line forming a “C” on the side of the tooth.
Do I need a waterpick?
Waterpicks should not be used as a substitute for brushing
and flossing. They are effective, however, around
orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush
cannot reach. Unlike flossing, waterpicks do not remove
plaque. Dentists frequently recommend waterpicks for
people with gum disease.
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