What are the benefits of flossing? How to floss your teeth? What are the different types of dental floss?

DENTAL FLOSS: Dental floss (or simply floss) is a cord of thin filaments used to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth in areas a toothbrush is unable to reach.

The use of floss is commonly recommended in order to prevent gingivitis and the build-up of plaque.

TYPES OF DENTAL FLOSS:

Unwaxed Floss-

Unwaxed floss is one of the most common types of floss that is used. It’s constructed of a nylon material that is crafted by twisting multiple strands together. Unwaxed floss comes with no artificial flavoring, which means that this type of floss is free from chemicals.

This floss is perfect for those who have small gaps in between their teeth as unwaxed floss is much thinner than other types of dental floss. However, due to the nature of its construction, unwaxed floss is more prone to shredding and breaking than other types of floss.

Waxed Floss-

Waxed floss is constructed very similarly to unwaxed floss with the addition of a waxed layer applied to the floss. This waxed layer allows the floss to be stronger so that it doesn’t shred or break on the user. In addition, it allows the floss to glide better between teeth than unwaxed floss.

Due to the added layer of wax to this type of dental floss, it’s thicker than unwaxed floss. This makes it more difficult to get into small gaps. The waxy nature of the floss also makes it harder to grip for the average user.

Dental Tape-

Dental tape is somewhat similar to most other types of floss, except it’s a lot thicker. It has a flatter construct that reminds one of regular tape. Dental tape is perfect for people who have bigger gaps that require thicker floss. You’ll find dental tape available in both unwaxed and wax versions.

This type of floss is not ideal for the majority of people. Due to its thicker nature, dental tape can be difficult to get in between crowded teeth.

Polytetrafluorethylene Floss (PTFE)-

Polytetrafluorethylene is a material that most of us are familiar with in the form of Gore-Tex fabric. This material is very strong, so you won’t have to worry about it shredding while you’re using it. Its smooth construction makes it great for sliding easily into small gaps between crowded teeth.

While PTFE has some great benefits, it does have one major con. This is that its production requires the use of a known carcinogen, perfluorooctanoic acid. Carcinogens are known to comprise the immune system, so many dentists don’t recommend the extended use of this product.

Super Floss-

Super floss is a specialty type of floss that is designed for those with bridges, braces, and wide teeth gaps. It has three main components. These are regular floss, spongy floss, and a stiff end threader. With the threader, the user can easily maneuver the floss under bridges and other dental fixtures for a thorough cleaning.

Due to the construction of super floss, it’s not the best option for those with small teeth gaps. The threader is very unlikely to weave through the gap to be any bit effective at removing loose debris from the teeth.


What are the steps to follow?

Follow this step-by-step guide to floss your teeth correctly.

Flossing instructions:

-Break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. To hold the floss correctly, wind most of the floss around both of your middle fingers. Leave only about 1 to 2 inches of floss for your teeth.
-Next, hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
-Place the dental floss in between two teeth. Gently glide the floss up and down, rubbing it against both sides of each tooth. Don’t glide the floss into your gums. This can scratch or bruise your gums.
-As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape. This allows the floss to enter the space between your gums and your tooth.
Repeat the steps as you move from tooth to tooth. With each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.

Flossing instructions for braces:

-Break off about 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss.
Stand in front of a mirror so you can make sure the floss is going where you need it to.
-Start by threading the floss between your teeth and the main wire. Twist the loose ends of the floss around your index fingers so you can move the floss around easily.
-Press the floss between the two teeth as gently as you can. Then, move the floss up and down along the sides of both teeth.
-When working on your top teeth, try to make an upside-down U with the floss. To do this, go up the side of one tooth until you get to the gumline. Then, glide the floss down the side of the other tooth.
-Gently remove the floss and carefully unthread it from behind the wire. Avoid popping the floss out of your tooth, as you could dislodge a wire.
-Now, move on to the next two teeth, and use the same technique until you’ve flossed between all your teeth.


BENEFITS FROM FLOSSING:







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