7 March 2017What is Dental Floss
Dental floss is a thread or ribbon usually made from Nylon or Polytetrafluoroethylene (Yeah, I can’t pronounce that either) and is commonly branded as Teflon. Dental floss can be biodegradable, waxed or non-waxed, and is available in a range of flavours. Meaning, there’s a dental floss out there for everyone… The purpose of floss is to help clean around your teeth, as well as below the gum line, removing food and harmful bacteria from your mouth.
We have all been told to brush and floss regularly but many of us don’t. Now, there are some clinical experts that are going as far to say that flossing is pointless. Is it true? We take a look at why experts are debating whether flossing is beneficial. We tell you the truth about to floss or not to floss, with some helpful tips and advice from the dental experts at the Brighton Implant Clinic.
Let’s start with the facts – food and bacteria, which is not cleaned properly from teeth, will lead to plaque, tartar, and oral diseases. This is backed up by research, science and clinical studies.
Brushing alone cleans the front and back surfaces of your teeth, however, it is not enough to reach under the gum line and surfaces in-between teeth. This is why floss was created to clean the food and bacteria in-between your teeth and under the gumline.
The debate – Brushing has been clinically proven to clean and remove food and bacteria from teeth but the benefits of flossing in terms of research are still pretty weak. Some clinical experts are going as far to say that flossing is pointless! And they’re right…if you’re not flossing correctly.
The Problem is…
This is perhaps why the benefits of flossing are still divided, especially when some of us are in actual fact damaging our gums through flossing incorrectly, OPS.
Dr Bruno Silva, clinical director and principal dentist at the Brighton Implant Clinic advises that “flossing is one of the most important regimes to maintaining good oral health if done correctly. It can successfully reduce, as well as prevent plaque and tartar build-up, where bad bacteria manifests.
The Brighton Implant Clinic and Flossing
GETTING IT RIGHT – THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT.
Here are some wise words from Dr Silva from the Brighton Implant Clinic. The know how:
Find the right one for you.
There are many different types of dental floss and it is important to find the right one for you. Floss can be waxed/unwaxed, flavoured/unflavored, ribbon or tape. Commonly, waxed floss is considered easier to slide between the teeth however, your decision should be based on personal preference.
Make flossing a part of your everyday routine.
Half of the battle seems to be adding flossing into our busy schedules. Make flossing part of your everyday routine, choose the most convenient time for you and make it a habit, not a chore.
Floss one tooth at a time.
Do not cut corners when it comes to flossing – floss one tooth at a time. You need to target all areas around a tooth, meaning, use your forefingers and thumbs to pull dental floss from the gum line to the tooth’s top to scrape the plaque off each tooth as well as flossing each side of your tooth.
Use around 18 inches of dental floss
Sometimes we should all be a little bit more frugal, but not with dental floss. You should be using an estimate of 18 inches every time you floss. It is important not to reuse floss sections, as this is likely to transfer bacteria between teeth.
Form a ‘C’ shape.
When flossing your teeth it is important to hold the floss around a single tooth’s front as well as back, forming a “C” shape. To remove food and bacteria effectively, floss gently towards the tooth’s base, as well as just under the gum line. These steps should be repeated for each tooth’s side, which includes the last tooth’s outermost side as well.
Dental Implants
If you have dental implants it is still very important to floss daily around your teeth and gum line. Dental implants must be cared for as if they were your own teeth, in doing so, this will ensure that your dental implants will last. There are different types of dental implant treatments, therefore caring for dental implants is dependable on the fixture you have. For single dental implants, we recommend Tepe Bridge and Implant Floss, with the flossing tips above! With a full upper or lower arch restoration using dental implants, it is advised that you use interdental brushes and an electric flosser also known as a Water Pik.
For more information on dental implant treatments or care, visit The Brighton Implant Clinic .
Dental Braces
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential when having braces. Fitted braces have small spaces! Food particles and bacteria can get trapped in between bands and brackets. This can cause enamel staining as well as tooth decay. Floss teeth daily, making sure to floss properly between brackets as well as underwires.
Super floss is a kind of floss that is specifically designed for braces, bridges, and small to wide spaces! Use this with your braces, bridges and implants to reach difficult areas, available over the counter.
The Brighton Implant Clinic was established in 2009, Hove, East Sussex. The award – winning clinic now spans over four sites in Hove, Brighton, Worthing, and Hailsham. Founder and principal dentist Dr Bruno Silva has created a clinic with state of the art facilities and equipment including its own dental laboratory. We provide personalised and affordable dental care, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry solutions, with additional services such as sedative dentistry. Dr Silva and his team believe a smile is a gift that keeps on giving, confidence in your smile is confidence in you. Their promise is to provide patients with first class dental treatments with first class patient care.