For impeccable oral hygiene, flossing is as important as brushing. However, there is a huge gap between using dental floss and knowing how to use dental floss. Flossing is an accessory to be handled with great care and gentleness. Find out how to use such a tool.
Here is a guide that will help you learn more about flossing.
Why use dental floss ?
The dental floss complements the action of the toothbrush. Whether electric or not, a toothbrush is not able to clean all the surfaces of your teeth. The use of dental floss allows you to remove the bacteria that are buried deep in your teeth. It dislodges the microbes and food residues that the toothbrush was not able to remove.
It also considerably limits the accumulation of bacterial plaque and fights against tartar formation. Furthermore, by eliminating the batteries present in the mouth, it reduces the risks of the appearance of dental caries and other diseases. Finally, it ensures better breath and cleaner teeth.
Thus, the use of dental floss is an essential gesture for your oral health. Its combination with the toothbrush allows to guarantee you a healthy mouth and a better quality cleaning. It is a gesture that you should include in your dental hygiene routine.
How to use dental floss?
Flossing is easier than it sounds. For an effective and optimal cleaning, it is important to follow a few steps.
Holding the floss
The first step in flossing is to hold it properly. To do this, start by cutting off the few centimeters that you will use during the cleaning (20 to 30 cm should be more than enough). Then, you will have to extend it by wrapping it around your middle fingers. Take care to leave a few centimeters in the middle between your hands. You can use your pusher to make the floss as taut as possible.
Cleaning with dental floss
Wrap the floss around your tooth and gently move it back and forth vertically. The floss should form a C shape around each tooth so that all surfaces are cleaned. Be careful not to force it too much to avoid touching the gums. You must, little by little, unroll the wire in order to use a clean part on each tooth. Also, you should not pull it out abruptly, but rather by making the same movement gradually downwards.
What type of floss to use?
When it comes to choosing a flosser, you should know that it is mostly a matter of preference. Each type of floss has certain advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to choose the one that provides you with the most comfort. Note that there are two types of dental floss: Nylon floss and PTFE floss.
Nylon floss is made up of several small intertwined strands. It is therefore less resistant and can fray very easily. This is often the case when your teeth have fairly tight contact points. However, by choosing a quality model like Gum Floss, the risk of fraying is reduced. PTFE floss has none of these problems. It is effective and slides easily between the teeth. However, it is much more expensive than the first one.
Whatever choice you make, both flosses are widely used. They are equally effective in preventing tartar build-up and removing food debris if you know how to use them properly.
Additional elements to consider when choosing a flosser
The flosser must also be able to meet your needs according to your dental problem. Here are the different oral problems that require a specific dental floss:
- Particularly sensitive gums : If you have sensitive teeth and your gums bleed easily, it is important to choose a soft floss that slides easily between your teeth.
- Wearing braces : If you have braces or dentures, you can floss. Try a specialized flosser that has a stiff end, which you can thread under the main wire of your braces, and a component that slides easily between your teeth.
- Having a child: It's important to teach children the benefits of flossing at an early age. You can start teaching children to floss at age 5 to 7, but many children are reluctant and may complain that floss is painful or difficult to use.
- Difficulty handling floss : Try electric interdental brushes. Electric interdental brushes are clean and easy to use, especially if you have trouble reaching the back of your mouth. Plus, electric interdental brushes provide the right amount of pressure to pleasantly stimulate your gums.
However, you can also opt for a flosser that takes special care of your teeth. Y-Brush dental floss may be the answer. It cleans effectively and gently between each tooth and is very easy to use thanks to its handle. The floss fits easily into the gaps and spaces between the teeth and does not damage your gums. It allows an effective care as well as a good oral hygiene.
How often should I floss ?
Flossing is just as important as brushing. However, that doesn't mean you should floss with the same frequency. If you brush your teeth 3 times a day, it doesn't make sense to floss every time. Ideally, you should floss no more than once a day after brushing your teeth at night. This should be enough to keep your teeth clean.
To conclude, remember that flossing is an essential accessory to use for your oral hygiene. It allows you to eliminate food debris and fight against the formation of dental plaque. You should use it once a day and with a gentle vertical movement between the teeth.
We hope this guide has helped you understand why it is important to floss. We also hope you understand how to floss. It is important to follow a number of criteria to find the best floss for your teeth. However, the Y-Brush floss is not like any other floss. It is suitable for all mouths. Moreover, it is important to use your floss at the right frequency.
