What is Flossing?

Flossing is a preventive dental procedure which is performed for maintaining the gum and tooth health. It removes plaque & food particles present between the teeth. Plaque is a thin microbial film which is slightly sticky and looks like water. In this procedure, a thin, soft thread is wrapped around the fingers and is run between the teeth to remove the food particles and plaque.

Flossing removes food particles and plaque stuck in places inaccessible by a normal toothbrush.

The two most commonly used filament types floss are:

Nylon or Multifilament Floss: This is probably the most basic type of floss. It comes in a waxed and unwaxed variety. Sometimes, it might shred or break between tight teeth.

PTFE or Monofilament Floss: This type of floss slides more easily between the teeth. It's much less likely to shred, making it a tougher option.

How To Floss:

Cut off a Piece of Floss:About 18 inches is a good enough length for effectively performing the flossing.

Wrap the Floss Around Your Middle Finger: Wind most of the floss around your middle finger on one hand, and then you need to wind the other end around your middle finger on the other hand.

Slide the Floss Between Your Teeth: Carefully slide the floss between each pair of teeth, using a sawing motion.

Curve the Floss: Curve the floss into a C-shape to curve around each tooth.

Clean below the Gumline: Slide the floss beneath the gumline to clean the area between your teeth and gums.

Next Tooth: Repeat steps 3 to 5 for every tooth in your mouth.

Clean Section of Floss: When you get to a new tooth, use a clean section of floss.

Types of Flossers:

Apart from the traditionally used floss threads or strings, there are other types of flossers available on the market. Let's explore some of the common types of flossers:

• Water Flossers: Water flossers are like water guns which are used between the teeth. The force of water removes the dirt and plaque between the teeth. They are getting more popular because of their effectiveness during orthodontic treatment.
• Floss Toothpicks: These are simple toothpicks with a tight floss thread fixed on a plastic stick. They are simple to use and remove the stuck food particles conveniently.
• Interdental Brushes: Though it is called an interdental brush, from a functionality point of view, it can be put in the category of flossers. They are thin brushes which can easily slide between the teeth or around the prosthesis. They are flexible and easy to use.

Why is Flossing Important?

Routine brushing fails to clean all the surfaces of the teeth. The trapped food particles present between the teeth and beneath the gum line need to be cleaned. Avoiding the need to clean these surfaces can build plaque which can get converted to hard tartar over time. Once a tartar forms, you need to get it cleaned professionally by a dentist. You can't remove it with the help of normal brushing or flossing. If you delay the removal of tartar, then it affects the surrounding bone of your teeth. Routine flossing prevents the build-up of plaque and saves you from suffering such problems. Let's look at some of the specific problems that you can avoid if you floss your teeth regularly.

Gum Diseases:

When plaque accumulates, it leads to swelling of gums, causing a condition called "Gingivitis." Effective flossing reduces the chances of getting "Gingivitis." The build-up of plaque releases toxins which irritate the gums. If left untreated, it can lead to bleeding of gums even on slight irritation.

Periodontal Diseases:

Periodontal diseases affect the surrounding bone of the tooth. Consistent food entrapment, along with plaque, can lead to the formation of tartar around the tooth. This tartar can reach the bone and eat up the supporting bone of the tooth. Such dental problems which affect the supporting bone of the tooth are known as Periodontal Diseases. Once the bone gets affected there is a chance of suffering from increased mobility of teeth, and you can even lose your teeth if you don’t receive the treatment on time.

Tooth Decay:

Flossing prevents tooth decay by cleaning the interdental spaces i.e., the spaces which are present between the teeth. Interdental spaces have less space, which can trap more food particles. They are not easily removed with normal brushing. Flossing removes these food particles, reducing the chances of getting proximal caries.

Bad Breath:

Trapped food particles and continuous improper cleaning of the teeth can cause bad breath in the mouth, which can be a big turn-off while interacting with others. Catching Gingivitis and Periodontitis can also lead to bad breath.

Systemic Problems:

The health of your overall body is closely linked to your oral health. The bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter the blood and can possibly affect your cardiovascular health. Thus, the importance of good oral hygiene goes beyond a beautiful smile. Regular flossing can keep your body healthy

So, just a few minutes spent on flossing every day can go a long way in maintaining a healthy mouth and a healthy body. Now that you know the importance of flossing, follow your dentist's advice – brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. If you find using the flossing thread cumbersome, you can use other modern ways to floss your teeth.