Flossing is not only one of the three main parts of oral
hygiene – the others being tongue cleaning, and obviously tooth brushing – it is
also important in personal health maintenance. Like anything else, it must be
done correctly in order to get the maximum benefit. Improper flossing can lead
to tooth and gum problems. Here, we will deal with some misconceptions and tips
on how to turn flossing into a successful, daily exercise that will reap
tremendous benefits and cost you little time. It takes less than two minutes,
but your teeth – as well as the rest of your body, will thank you for your
diligence.
An ergonomic flosser. These can be used by people who find normal, wrap flossing difficult due to arthritis, or lack of dexterity.
Is it Possible to
Floss too Much?
Actually, yes. Flossing once per day is plenty. With certain
exceptions, any more than that gives virtually no added benefit. In fact, it
can carry a risk. Plaque takes between 16-24 hours to build up on and in
between the teeth. Therefore, flossing twice or more per day is throwing away
floss – and money.
The risk of flossing too frequently is irritation of the
gums, and the wearing down of the sides of the enamel. If there is no residue
to remove when you floss, you are abrading the floss against the tooth. If this
is done too frequently over a period of too many years, it can cause wear.
Refraining from
Flossing Because it “Makes Your Gums Bleed”
This is perhaps one of the most popular and counter-intuitive
reasons people have in forgoing flossing. People who have not been introduced
to floss as children, or have not done it since they were in their youth, will
probably find that when they begin to floss, they will have the taste of some
blood in their mouths.
Many will try again the next day, or perhaps they will wait
a few days. They end up getting the same result. It is at this point where many
of these misguided souls will then throw their floss away, saying that it does
them no good – all it does is hurt and cause them to bleed. This is exactly the
wrong thing to do.
The very reason your gums are bleeding after not having
flossed for years is gingivitis. Which is, of course, a result of not flossing.
Your gums are swollen, and thus sensitive to the abrasion of the floss. If you
continue to floss once a day, the bleeding should cease after a couple of
weeks, with the accompanying pain level also gradually subsiding. You just have
to push through that period to restore your gums to health. Ceasing to floss
will eventually cause that early stage gingivitis to progress to more serious
gum disease, leading to more severe pain along with tooth loss.
Up and Down, Not Back
and Forth
This is a mistake made by many beginners. The
correct form of flossing is to make a bend, firmly pressing against the side of
the tooth. Then the motion should be vertical. Flossing up and down will ensure
that the entire side of the tooth will be treated. Sawing back and forth can
result in inadequate cleaning, as well as a more serious problem in the long
term. The sawing motion can severely irritate the gums, causing gingivitis by
abrasion. Improper flossing can actually have a similar result as refraining
from doing so when it comes to your gingiva.
Not Flossing
Despite repeated warnings and campaigns by dentists, an alarming
number of people do not floss their teeth with adequate frequency. Different
studies have calculated nearly one-fifth to as high as one-third of Americans remain
non-flossers. Daily flossers have been estimated at anywhere to as low as 30
percent to just over 50 percent. As for people who floss less than daily, the
estimation lies in the 30 to 40 percent range.
Regular, twice per day brushing is essential to prevent
plaque and tartar buildup, and prevent cavities. However, it will all be for
naught if cavities are not prevented on the sides of the teeth and below the
gum line where the brush cannot reach. If your gums become too diseased to
tightly hold in your teeth, brushing will not save them.
In recent years, the medical understanding of the importance
of flossing has gone beyond oral and dental hygiene. There is now increasing
evidence that flossing will reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and
some cancers. The reason for this is that your gums are rife with blood
vessels. Your mouth is full of bacteria – some of which are beneficial – however,
poor oral hygiene also results in the harmful types. If gums are swollen, inflamed,
and prone to bleeding, this harmful bacteria can get in the bloodstream and
transport to other areas of the body, where they can cause inflammation.
Flossing is not just important for your oral health, but the
health of your body. It should be part of the daily grooming and cleaning
regimen for everyone, yet there are still millions that unfortunately skip it.
Using the Wrong Type
of Floss
Today, there are
several different types of flosses. There are
·
Waxed
·
Non-waxed
·
Shred resistant
·
Woven
·
Satin
·
Electric
·
Hand-held floss picks
If you floss with proper form
with any of these products, it will adequately do the job. There is no singular
best product for every person. The two main factors in finding the right floss
for you are how it feels on your teeth and gums, and how well you can
manipulate it with your fingers. Keep in mind that how easy it is for you to
handle can have a considerable influence on how comfortable it will feel in
your mouth.
Holding the Floss Incorrectly
Your index fingers are the most
sensitive and dexterous in your hand. You should use them along with your
thumbs to do the maneuvering. Many people make the mistake of wrapping the
floss around the index fingers, making maneuverability more difficult. Wrap the
floss around your middle fingers, to free up the motion for your indexes.
