Dental floss is a very important attribute of oral hygiene. It helps to avoid gum disease and caries, as it removes plaque and food debris from places that a regular toothbrush cannot reach. Leftover food provokes the growth of bacteria, tartar appears and, over time, periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis develop. Microbes also destroy tooth enamel and caries appears.
It is recommended to use dental floss every day. Many people do not use this effective attribute because they do not know how to use dental floss correctly so as not to injure their gums and improve oral hygiene. There are many different types of dental floss. Firstly, they differ in shape: there are flat, round and ribbon-shaped threads. Round floss is suitable for wider interdental spaces and for cleaning between dentures. Flat - more common, it is suitable for narrow spaces. Tape-shaped dental floss is similar to a simple floss, only it is wider - up to 5 mm. This floss is convenient for cleaning part of the support of dental implants. Also suitable for large interdental spaces.
How to use dental floss?
- Tear off a sufficient amount of thread (30-40 cm) and wrap it around your middle fingers.
- Holding the floss firmly (press it with your thumbs and forefingers), gently insert it into the interdental spaces. Don't pull too hard or drag the floss too far near your gums to avoid cutting them.
- When the floss reaches your gums, curve it into a C shape around the tooth and use the characteristic brushing motions of your hands to lift the floss up. Brush the surfaces of two adjacent teeth at once.
After brushing a couple of teeth this way, push the floss forward so that the clean part of the floss is always used.
The interdental spaces of the upper jaw are cleaned with the thumbs, guiding the thread upward, and in the lower jaw, with the index fingers, guiding the thread downward.
It is recommended to use the torn piece of thread only once.
If the floss gets stuck between your teeth, this is a sign that you may have tartar or fillings that have become unstable. We recommend that you consult a doctor!
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