Periodontal disease begins along the gumline and between the teeth. Flossing is an important part of your oral hygiene routine because it helps remove plaque in areas where the brush can't reach. To really enjoy these benefits, however, you have to use the right techniques.
The correct technique for using dental floss:
Great, you are using dental floss! However, for flossing to effectively remove plaque from your teeth, you need to make sure you are using the correct technique.
Since you will have to put your hands in your mouth, wash your hands before touching the dental floss. The American Dental Hygienists' Association explains that the correct technique consists of four simple steps:
How To Use Dental Floss undefined:
Wrap:
Wrap approximately 45 cm of thread around the middle or index finger of one hand, depending on your preference, and a small portion around the middle or index finger of the other hand (using the middle finger allows you to manipulate the thread with the 'index). This may seem like an excessive amount, but you will need to use a clean segment every time you change your tooth. Pinch the thread between your thumb and forefinger, leaving between 2.5 and 5 cm in length between the two. Use your thumb to guide the floss between your upper teeth.
To drive:
Leave between 2.5 and 5 cm of thread stretched between your fingers.
Then you need to use your index finger to guide it between your teeth.
To slide:
Gently guide the floss between the teeth using a zigzag motion. Be careful not to let the thread break or "jump" between your teeth. Surround the side of the tooth with the floss, creating a C-shape as you wrap it around the tooth.
Slide:
Run the floss up and down the surface of the tooth and along the gumline, and don't forget to floss the back of each tooth. As you move from tooth to tooth, unwind a new section of floss from one finger and wrap the used floss onto the finger of the other hand. Use your thumb as a guide.
Periodontal disease begins along the gumline and between the teeth. Flossing is an important part of your oral hygiene routine because it helps remove plaque in areas where the brush can't reach. To really enjoy these benefits, however, you have to use the right techniques.
The correct technique for using dental floss:
Great, you are using dental floss! However, for flossing to effectively remove plaque from your teeth, you need to make sure you are using the correct technique.
Since you will have to put your hands in your mouth, wash your hands before touching the dental floss. The American Dental Hygienists' Association explains that the correct technique consists of four simple steps:
This technique applies to many types of dental floss: waxed, unwaxed or spongy floss or dental tape. The type of floss you use is a personal choice as long as you use the correct technique. There are many types to choose from to suit your needs and those of your family.
It doesn't matter if you start with your upper teeth rather than your lower ones, or your front rather than back teeth. Just be sure to floss all of your teeth, including the back of the last teeth. Do not forget to also pass it along the gumline and on the sides of the teeth that border the spaces of the missing teeth, food residues can also hide there. Using the correct technique will help you remove food debris and plaque build-up between your teeth and improve your oral hygiene.
Use an interdental brush:
If you are using a hand brush, the technique is similar. Hold the brush handle firmly and place the wire in front of the area you want to clean first (upper or lower jaw). Gently guide the floss between your two teeth and keep it from breaking or jumping off. Use the same zigzag motion you would use with traditional dental floss. Bend the floss around each tooth and slide it to the gumline and over the surface of each tooth.
Use an electric interdental brush:
The same basic techniques also apply to the electric interdental brush. Gently guide the floss where you want it and move the brush back and forth to create a zigzag motion with the floss. Do you have difficulty getting to the farthest part of your back teeth? Some pipe cleaners have an angled handle that helps you get to the hardest spots.
Floss around dental work:
If you wear braces or other orthodontic devices, it is important to use the right technique to prevent the wire from getting caught in the wires or brackets. You can use a special orthodontic wire with stiff ends that can easily be passed under the main wire (also called dental arch) of the appliance. Alternatively, you can purchase a passing needle, which is a flexible tool with a toothpick on one end and a buttonhole in the other. To use a floss needle, place about 45 cm of floss inside the buttonhole. Next, insert the pointed end under the main floss and pass it through so that the floss is under the floss of the appliance. Once the floss is in place, follow the same technique you would use with traditional floss.
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