Flossing is one of the essential ways for you to help clear food and debris from between your teeth. Here, our Delta dentists discuss why flossing your teeth is necessary for oral hygiene and what the different tools are for flossing.
Whether or not it can be seen there are little bits of food particles and debris that would have become trapped in between your teeth throughout the day as you've been eating and drinking,
When caring for your teeth you will always reach for your toothbrush but they are still unable to get into the tightest of spaces within our mouths, this is where flossing becomes very important in order to remove build-up and prevent conditions like cavities and gum disease.
Flossing Your Teeth: What Tools Are Available?
there are a variety of flossing tools available to help this process nice and easy. Here, our Delta dentists share some of the various types of floss and flossing tools available for this important oral hygiene practice.
Traditional Floss
Whether it's waxed or unwaxed, the techniques that you use to floss will determine how well you clear out the debris.
To start, you should gather about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your fingers. Then, slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth. Move the floss in a “C” shape around each tooth, and be sure to go below your gum line.
If used correctly, regular floss should be able to pick up most of the bacteria left behind in your teeth after you have finished brushing.
Floss Picks
Floss picks provide ease and convenience to flossing as they only require a single hand to manage. While being able to floss with a single hand may be easier it is not as effective as regular floss.
The downside to using floss picks is that while they are easier to use they also restrict the angle you are able to reach which will prevent you from getting all angles.
Regular floss is recommended above floss picks as these floss picks are still unable to reach everywhere but if you do not have access to traditional floss then they will do.
Waterpik
The Waterpik Water Flosser is a clever device that uses a stream of pressurized water to "floss" your teeth and gums.
Using the Waterpik device is simple as you simply direct the flosser tip along the gum line and allow the water to remove any plaque and food particles for you.
Flossing using the Waterpik Water Flosser can also help reach difficult areas and make flossing easier for those with braces or any form of dental work.
How Often Should You Floss?
While it is essential to floss frequently and consistently, it is entirely possible to floss too much and cause irritation to your gums.
Along with your twice-daily tooth brushing routine, you should also be ensuring that you have one good flossing session a day preferably at the end of the day.