Oral hygiene is an essential factor that is needed for the overall well-being of a person. Healthy teeth make us look and feel good. They enable us to eat and speak properly. Daily maintenance of oral hygiene keeps our teeth as well as mouth clean and free from debris. It prevents bad breath and infections caused by the formation of bacteria inside the mouth. Brushing teeth twice a day, cleaning the tongue properly, flossing at least once in a day, and washing of mouth whenever necessary are a few methods that will help us to keep our mouth clean and healthy. Brushing and flossing are daily oral activities. Flossing is one way to clean between your teeth. Proper flossing always helps in removing unwanted food particles which get stuck between the teeth rigidly. Brushing and flossing are the main oral activities which ensure better cleaning of teeth. Sometimes our toothbrush cannot reach the places in the mouth such as the area under the gumline. Through flossing, bacteria removal becomes easy and fast. If these bacteria are not removed it may cause plaque or tooth decay, these can eventually lead to certain gum disease. Flossing is not so easy it requires proper handling of string through which stuck particles are removed accurately. Flossing is the key to good oral hygiene and health. A recent study conducted by Global Dental Centre reveals that only some, say 40% of sample Indian population floss daily whereas the rest of the population does not. Flossing awareness is a crucial need in recent times. Dentist highly recommends flossing and brushing to go hand in hand and twice a day. Remember  Good oral health leads to good general health.

Is brushing alone not enough?

Importance of flossing-

The dentist often recommends brushing twice a day but alone brushing may not solve the purpose. No doubt brushing is essential for good oral hygiene but alone it may not protect you from other gum diseases. Flossing helps in proper removing of bacteria from the teeth, sometimes even the bristles of brush may not reach there. Moreover, rough and harsh bristles of brush may affect the gumline and could lead to severe injuries. Flossing by the soft string is best suitable to remove unwanted particles from the teeth without harming the gum or other parts of the mouth.  People suffering from sensitivity or bleeding gums often avoid flossing thinking that it could make the gum disease more severe. But to their surprise, flossing can improve the health of their gums, eventually helping them to prevent from unusual bleeding too. There are several benefits of flossing daily. Flossing also helps in protecting against the gingivitis as it helps in removing plaque and food particles, without affecting the gums and teeth. Faraway keeping them healthy. If you love your smile and want to protect and retain it beautifully for a long time then keep on brushing and flossing regularly.

Types of Dental Floss –

Dental floss is of different and distinguished types-. Each of these different floss has there own pros and cons. Keep in mind these points before choosing for better flossing.

• Unwaxed floss is thin nylon floss made of about 35 strands twisted together. It fits into tight spaces if your teeth are close together, but it can be prone to shedding or breaking.
• Waxed floss is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating. It is less likely to break, but the wax coating may make it harder to use in tight spots.
• Dental tape is broader and flatter than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions. People with more space between their teeth often find dental tape more comfortable to use than standard floss.
• Polytetrafluorethylene floss (PTFE) is the same material used in the high-tech Gore-Tex fabric. The material slides between the teeth easily and is less likely to shred compared to standard floss.
• Super flosses are made from yarn-like material that has stiffer sections on each end that can be used to clean around braces or dental bridges.

Flossing Guidelines-

Use 15 to 18-inch piece of floss. Wrap it around your index finger properly slide the floss accurately between the teeth and wrap it around the side of the tooth. Scrub the area by moving the floss up and down, and back and forth. Make sure you scrub both sides of the adjacent teeth before moving on to the next set.

If you have wider spaces between your teeth, use Super Floss, which is thicker. If dexterity is an issue, use soft plaque removers. Similar to toothpicks, they allow you to clean between your teeth with one hand. A double-pronged floss holder is another option.

While flossing, you can get telltale signs of potential health problems. For example, bleeding gums is a warning sign that you have bacteria in your mouth causing damage, which can easily spread through your bloodstream and cause chronic inflammation elsewhere in your body. The answer is to gently floss and brush more often until your gums no longer bleed from brushing or flossing. If bleeding persists longer than a week, see a dentist.

Thus, we believe that our blog has helped you to learn important facts and info about flossing. For more dental care tips book an appointment with Global Dental Centre – one of the top dental clinics of Indore. The team of the best dentist are available here, to guide you in all the possible manner they can.