Why floss? It’s such a drag!

The main reason to use dental floss is because floss removes the hard-to-reach plaque that toothbrushing misses. In fact, most dental decay and periodontal disease begin where teeth touch each other...at or under the contact points. And that’s precisely where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach.

What is floss?

Dental floss is composed of gently twisted nylon or Gore-tex threads.

Are there different types of dental floss?

Dental floss comes waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, and in varying widths: thin, regular, or wide. There is no "best" type of floss to use. Unwaxed floss is favored by many dentists because as it’s used, the nylon threads spread to absorb more plaque. Dental purists argue that waxed floss leaves a residue on the teeth, which can collect plaque more quickly.

Our feeling is that clinically it doesn’t matter which type of floss - or dental tape - you use, but just that you use it. Toothbrushing, alone, does not remove enough plaque to be effective when it comes to good oral hygiene.

Ask your dentist/hygienist, how best to use floss under fixed bridges and around dental implants.

How often should I floss?

You should floss once each day. Though cumbersome at first, flossing will take no time at all, once the skills are mastered.

How should I floss?

Use about 18 inches of floss. Wrap it loosely around your middle fingers...not your index fingers. The reason is that you don’t want to limit the range of motion of the index finger which, along with the thumb, is used to guide the floss in the right places.

With the floss wrapped around your middle fingers, guide a piece roughly 1" to 1 1/2" between two teeth. Gently saw the floss back-and-forth, passing beyond the contact point, to where the floss slides down the neck of the tooth.

Once the floss is beyond the contact point, guide it "around" one of the teeth. Avoid the triangular gum tissue, known as a papilla. A good way to picture this is to think of the tooth as a circle, and your goal is to swipe away the plaque from one half of that circle. Slide the floss gently into the space between the gums and the tooth until you meet resistance. Then, holding the floss firmly against the tooth, rotate it up and down, as if you were "shining shoes." After two or three strokes, lift the floss over the papilla, shifting your thumb and index finger so that you guide the floss around the half of the other tooth in the same area. Repeat the same motion again, removing the plaque from this tooth. When you’ve completed this, pull the floss back through the contact point and begin the process over again in the next interdental area.

When the floss becomes frayed or soiled, unwind a fresh piece from your middle finger. After flossing, it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with water to loosen and remove any particles next to the teeth.

Would a water irrigating device help my periodontal condition?

Only in specific instances. A water irrigating device removes debris from between the teeth, known as "loose adherent" plaque. It is always good to remove this plaque, but a residual, adherent plaque can still be found on the teeth and root surfaces. Adherent plaque is not removed by water irrigating devices. This plaque - adherent plaque - can damage the teeth and periodontal tissues by causing dental caries and periodontal disease. As a matter of fact, if a water irrigating device is angled incorrectly, it may drive bacteria into the periodontal tissues…causing more harm than good.

What else helps remove plaque?

Toothpicks. The last ingredient to effective plaque removal is the use of toothpicks. We are big advocates of this old-fashioned method of cleaning teeth. Why? Because toothpicks get to those last nooks and hiding places that both floss and toothbrushing miss. Studies have shown that the most effective way to remove plaque is when all three methods of removal are used: toothbrushing, flossing, and using a toothpick.

Do I hold the toothpick with my fingers?

Holding a toothpick with your fingers is minimally effective. That’s because after reaching those in-between spots in the front teeth, it’s hard to maneuver the toothpick toward the back of your mouth, and near-impossible to clean the inside (tongue side) of your teeth. Instead, we recommend using a Perio-Aid. A Perio-Aid is a plastic tool that is specially designed to hold the toothpick in the proper angle for cleaning in between all teeth, both outside and inside. If you have periodontal disease, but do not use a Perio-Aid, ask your dentist for his/her opinion.

Flossing: A new secret to good health? Flossing helps clean teeth in the areas that brushing alone just cannot reach (between the teeth and under your gum line). Flossing and then brushing helps remove plaque, a sticky substance that accumulates and hardens over time. Left untreated, plaque deposits can eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Learning the proper way to floss your teeth is important. Your dentist or hygienist will be happy to demonstrate proper flossing techniques. The basic flossing techniques are shown in the photos below. One type of dental floss does not work for everyone. Consumers can choose between waxed or unwaxed, flavored or unflavored, and regular or tape types. In general, a waxed floss slides between the teeth easier than an unwaxed floss. Flavored floss leaves a fresh taste in the mouth, and is especially nice for those times when brushing or rinsing is not possible. Tape floss is typically thicker than regular floss and is generally favored by people with wide gaps between their teeth. Some companies are now marketing dental floss made from newer, "space age" materials. These newer materials offer increased smoothness and are also stronger than traditional floss. Ask your dentist which floss is right for you. Some people with limited dexterity or arthritis cannot easily manipulate dental floss. These people may wish to try dental floss holders or intra-dental cleaners.  Floss is a multi-sensory experience, and you now have a full array of choices and flavors. Whatever your needs or preferences are, there is bound to be a product that will help you clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Brush and floss your teeth daily to help ensure the wellness of your teeth.

Floss Facts: People with periodontal disease are 1.5-2 times as likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and 3 times as likely to suffer a stroke. New studies show that diabetic patients with severe periodontitis have difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Infected oral tissues with pneumonia bacteria can be inhaled into the lungs where immune defenses fail to wipe them out. Mothers of prematurely born babies were 7 times more likely to have advanced periodontal disease than mothers whose babies were normal weight at birth. Individuals with artificial joints and heart valves are at an increased risk of suffering a serious infection when periodontal bacteria enter the bloodstream.

Common Flossing Mistakes

Many people make mistakes when flossing. Below are some of the most common errors and misconceptions that people have about flossing and its importance as part of their overall home oral hygiene care.

• Not flossing at all - Due to everyday stresses of rushed lifestyles, people do not seem to be able to take a few minutes to floss. Flossing is just as important as brushing in the prevention of dental decay and periodontal problems.

• Not flossing daily - Flossing will not be effective if one does not floss
  daily. Plaque accumulation occurs quite quickly; so not including
  flossing as part of the daily oral hygiene home care regimen will not
  be as effective in the prevention of cavity and gum disease formation.

• Misconception that flossing is only a means to remove food particles -  Flossing is not just supposed to remove food particles like meat from between your teeth. The primary function of dental floss is to remove the invisible film of bacteria that constantly forms between
  your teeth called plaque. Flossing should be performed between each tooth.

• Not placing the floss under the gum line - Not placing dental floss carefully under the gum line, the area where plaque accumulation occurs most, will not be as effective
  in the prevention of dental decay and periodontal disease.

• Rushing when flossing the teeth - One cannot perform proper flossing when rushing
  through the procedure of removing plaque. One should take at least 2-3 minutes when flossing. This is a small amount of time when one weighs the benefits of  good oral health.  
   
  
  With all the recent research that poor dental health may increase the risk
  for cardiovascular disease, the importance of good oral health (which begins with good oral home hygiene care) cannot be stressed enough. Taking a few extra minutes to add flossing to your daily oral home care, may not only save your teeth, but may even save your life. Ask you dentist or dental hygienist to review proper oral home care or visit  Periodontal disease and its effects on the heart for further information.