Published in September 10th, 2010
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This is because the bacteria and plaque that cause gum disease live in places between the teeth where a tooth brush cannot reach. You need to floss in these places in order to keep cavities from forming.
This has to be done every day. After you have finished flossing your teeth, bacterial populations rebound and plaque begins to form again. However, it takes plaque 24 hours to reconstitute on the surface of your teeth. If you floss at least once a day, you will be able to keep it in check.
Do not neglect to do this. Plaque turns into tartar over a period of time. Tartar is calcified plaque that is formed by minerals in saliva and other fluids in your mouth. Tartar can begin forming in as little as 24 hours. It is definitely underway by 72 hours.
When it has fully calcified, only professional dental cleaning can remove it. Brushing and flossing will not do the job. That is why dentists always recommend that people floss their teeth as well as brushing them. Tartar between the teeth is not a good thing and leads to all sorts of dental complications.
There are different types of dental floss and flossing tools that you can use. Ask your dentist which is right for you.
Conventional dental floss comes in unwaxed and waxed versions.
Dental flossers hold the dental floss for you so you can manipulate it with a handle similar to that of the toothbrush. Now, there is no need to wrap floss around your fingers.
Floss threaders are made from similar material to dental floss, but they work like needles pulling thread. Floss threaders are used by people with dental bridges who need to thread the floss under their bridgework.
Flossing should be done with a precise, but simple, technique to ensure optimal removal of bacteria and plaque. If you follow this routine daily without deviation, your risk of cavities and periodontal disease significantly goes down.
First, take out approximately 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. You should leave a 5-inch span of floss between your hands.
Next, grip the floss with your thumb and index fingers. This will leave you with one inch of floss to work with.
Use a gentle sideways motion to gently guide the floss between the teeth. Pull it in a C-shape around all sides of each tooth. Then, slide it gently under the gumline.
You need to move it vertically several times to remove all debris, bacteria, and plaque.
Periodically rewind the floss around your fingers while flossing. This moves worn filaments of floss out of the way and makes for more effective cleaning.
If you have persistent bleeding or difficulty when flossing, call your dentist. If you have never used dental floss, expect your gums to bleed a little. They probably have a mild infection that will go away in a week or so. However, if the bleeding continues, you need to call your dentist and schedule an appointment to check for periodontal disease.
For information on Dental Flossing visit us at Cosmetic Dentistry Center.
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