Why And How To Floss

Many of us think we have really good oral hygiene. We brush our teeth thoroughly twice a day, drink lots of water, avoid smoking and sometimes use mouthwash before leaving the house to ensure our breath stays fresh and minty. Nobody ever complains that we have bad breath and our smile remains white and pristine. Not flossing can’t be such a big deal. Can it?

Well, many regard flossing as an optional part of oral care. Most dentists will assure you that it isn't. The bacteria responsible for causing cavities tend to hide in the areas and small pockets between the gums and the tooth, areas usually impenetrable by regular toothbrush bristles. The only way to reliably get this bacteria out? Dental floss! Flossing is essential for removing plaque and food particles that brushing alone cannot reach. Regular flossing helps prevent gum disease, cavities and bad breath.

Here are a few other compelling reasons to stop by a local pharmacy, purchase the nicest looking floss off the shelf and start inserting flossing into your daily oral hygiene routine.

Flossing prevents tartar buildup

What is tartar anyway? Tartar, otherwise known as dental calculus, is a deposit on your teeth that serves to trap stains on the teeth, causing very noticeable discolouration. Once it forms, it is very hard to remove. When plaque is unremoved, there is a chance that hardens and becomes tartar. Flossing nightly will prevent plaque from forming and prevent tartar formation at one’s gum line.

Flossing removes trapped food from your teeth

Ever smile at someone in the middle of a post-lunch conversation and have their friendly demeanour abruptly turn into wry concern? Yes, there might just be large strand from a corn husk sticking out from in between your two front teeth. Not a great look especially if you’re trying to close an important business deal. Excuse yourself to the washroom and give your teeth good flossing after mid-day meals, especially after consuming food that has a tendency to get stuck in your teeth like fibrous vegetables, stringy meats, corn-on-the-cob and other culprits. 

Flossing prevents bad breath

Your mouth is not exactly the most sterile environment. There’s a lot of bacteria that exist in your mouth, some of them natural to your oral habitat. Food trapped between your teeth is rapidly broken down by these bacteria, causing an unpleasant odour. Flossing is the most direct and effective way to stop giving the bacteria in your mouth an all-you-can-eat buffet. Click here to read how to get rid of bad breath.

Flossing prevents gum disease

Many of us hate plaque because it makes our teeth look aesthetically. It stains our teeth and gives it a grimy, unclean look. However, a far more dangerous reality comes with plaque formation: the potential to develop gum disease—plaque buildup can also cause inflammation of the gums which leaves the gums susceptible to infection!

As it eats away at the gum tissue, this can eventually result in periodontal disease, that is damage to the gum as well as the supporting bone. Flossing helps to remove the bacteria at the most vulnerable area of the gums, that is the base.

So, what is the proper way to floss?

1. Begin by taking 45cm to 60cm of dental floss and hold about 3cm to 5cm length of it tightly between your index fingers.

2. Gently guide the floss between your teeth.

3. Once it is between and under the teeth, curve the floss around each tooth to form a "C" shape, sliding it up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth. 

4. Move the floss up and down. Clean the tooth and below the gum line.

5. Take care to be gentle near the gums to prevent bruising.

6. When moving to a new tooth, unroll fresh floss from one hand while rolling used floss onto the other hand's finger. Use your thumb to guide the floss.

7. Don't forget to also floss the backside of each tooth for a thorough cleaning!

8. Avoid snapping the floss into your gums. Use a gentle sawing motion rather than a forceful push. Ensure you’re flossing every tooth, including the back molars

Get your teeth cleaned using Airflow Cleaning

Airflow cleaning is a type of teeth cleaning procedure that thoroughly removes stains and soft deposits from teeth surfaces and to some extent, in between teeth. It may not be as thorough as flossing or interdental brushes for cleaning in tight spaces between teeth but airflow cleaning can be a beneficial addition to your oral hygiene routine. It should not replace regular flossing or the use of interdental brushes for cleaning between teeth.

Start flossing your child's teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Use fun floss picks designed for children to make the process easier and more enjoyable. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles effectively. Ideally, flossing before bedtime ensures your mouth is clean overnight. Read about how to maintain proper kids' hygiene here.

If you have any questions regarding airflow cleaning, feel free to reach out to us and we will get back to you! 

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References:

1. Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, Sambunjak D, Johnson TM, Imai P, Clarkson JE. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Apr 10;4(4):CD012018. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012018.pub2. PMID: 30968949; PMCID: PMC6953268.