How To Use Dental Floss Brush

While discussing the importance of good dental care might not sound exciting, I have a simple tip that will help. The fact that it is anything but boring is probably the single most important aspect. Guaranteed!

The operation is as follows: Just like ordinary dental floss, you put the brush end into your mouth and twist it to clean the spaces between your teeth (but without having to thread it through your fingers). The toothbrush side is then used to remove any lingering debris or food particles, just like a regular toothbrush. They’re helpful for anyone who has problems threading traditional floss between their teeth, or who simply wants an extra safeguard against oral bacteria.

The dental floss brush is a simple dental hygiene tool: it consists of a string that cleans the area between your teeth. But there’s more to this brush than meets the eye! This article will walk you through how to use the dental floss brush, its benefits and some extra tips. Read on to learn more on interdental brush vs floss and interdental brushes cause gaps.

How To Use Dental Floss Brush

In order to remove plaque effectively, choose either dental floss or an interdental brush according to the size of the gaps between your teeth.

• When using dental floss or an interdental brush, check the locations of gaps between the teeth using a mirror, and pay attention so as not to damage your gums. After you are done cleaning, rinse your mouth.
• Ask your dentist or a dental hygienist for instructions if you cannot use dental floss or an interdental brush thoroughly.

Points for Using Dental Floss

When cleaning between teeth, where plaque easily accumulates and causes caries or periodontal disease, you can effectively remove plaque by using dental floss in combination with a toothbrush.

Spool ribbon type

Dental floss in a holder

How to Use Floss in a Holder

How to Use Floss in a Holder

Slide the floss between the teeth while moving it back and forth in small motions, and slowly move the floss up and down into your gums along the surface of the side of the tooth 2 to 3 times to remove plaque.

Reminders for Using Dental Floss

1. When using dental floss or an interdental brush, check the locations of gaps between the teeth using a mirror and pay attention so as not to damage your gums. After you are done cleaning, rinse your mouth.
2. If the floss gets caught or frays, there may be caries or tartar between the teeth.
3. Consult with a dental clinic.
4. Dental floss is necessary for preventing caries in children’s teeth.
5. Floss your child’s teeth if they cannot floss their teeth themselves.
6. If you don’t know how to use dental floss, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for instructions.

Points for Using an Interdental Brush

What is an Interdental Brush?

When the gaps between teeth are wide, an interdental brush is effective for removing plaque. It is effective to use an interdental brush to clean areas where caries have been treated, behind the rearmost molars, under dental bridges or in spaces left open after teeth have been extracted. In addition, an L-shaped interdental brush is suitable for cleaning between molars. Use it from both the outer and inner sides of the teeth.

How to Use an Interdental Brush

1.	Use an interdental brush while looking into a mirror. Holding the brush like a pencil will make it easy to use.
2.	Slowly slide the brush between two teeth, so as not to damage the gums.
3.	While holding the brush horizontally, move it back and forth along the tooth surface 2 to 3 times. *When cleaning between molars, it is effective to brush from both the inner and outer sides.
4.	Lightly place the brush along the adjacent anterior and posterior teeth and brush.
5.	Wash the brush with running cold water and store it in a well-ventilated place after use.
6.	Replace your interdental brush when the bristles become splayed or short.

Reminders for Using an Interdental Brush

1. It is important to select an appropriate size when choosing an interdental brush.
2. Select a size that suits the condition of your gums and the locations for use.
3. Choose an interdental brush of a size that you can insert smoothly between your teeth, without it feeling tight.
4. Use the interdental brush while checking the insertion direction of the brush in a mirror.
5. When you use an interdental brush for the first time, start with the smallest size (SSS).
6. If you cannot insert an interdental brush of the smallest size, it is recommended that you use dental floss instead.
7. If you do not know how to use an interdental brush, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for instructions.

Interdental Brush Vs Floss

The claim was that interdental brushing was more effective in preventing plaque and gum disease. In response, the British Society of Periodontology said: ‘Evidence supports the use of small interdental brushes for cleaning between the teeth where there is space to do so, in preference to flossing.

gums?

If you’re looking for ways to improve your oral hygiene, you may have come across interdental brushes. These brushes are designed to clean between the teeth and in hard to reach areas of your mouth in order to prevent plaque buildup. But can interdental brushes actually damage the gums? After all, people sometimes complain of bleeding gums when they first start using them.

In this blog post, we investigate this issue. 

Are interdental brushes safe?

Interdental brushes are perfectly safe when used according to manufacturer’s instructions. According to the British Dental Association, cleaning between your teeth is very important, and it recommends using interdental brushes or floss to do this. 

When used correctly, interdental brushes can help to prevent gum disease, inflammation, bad breath and other dental problems by removing food particles and plaque from around teeth, cavities and fillings. 

People sometimes complain that interdental brushes cause bleeding gums, but this is not the case. The fact is, if you don’t regularly clean between your teeth, your gums are likely to be unhealthy. When you first remove plaque using interdental brushes, your gums may feel tender and start to bleed. However, if you continue to use interdental brushes regularly, you should find that the bleeding reduces and eventually stops. 

You may need to experiment with different sizes to find the right fit for your requirements. You might find that you need one size for certain gaps and a bigger or smaller size for others. If you’re just starting out, why not try the popular DenTek Eco Easy Brush mixed sizes pack? For particularly tight gaps, you might like the DenTek Eco Slim Brush, which has is tapered at the tip to comfortably enter extra tight space. 

Do interdental brushes cause gum recession?

Gum recession is a type of gum disease that happens when the gum margin pulls away or wears away from the teeth. This results in more of the tooth, or part of the tooth’s root, being exposed. Receding gums cause pockets to form between the teeth and the gums where infection-causing bacteria can collect. Ultimately, if gum recession isn’t treated, you could end up losing teeth. 

There is no evidence to say that interdental brushes cause gum recession. In fact, interdental brushes can actually help to prevent receding gums as they are designed to fight plaque and tartar buildup, which can contribute to gum recession. 

Flossing is an important oral hygiene habit. It cleans and dislodges food stuck between your teeth, which reduces the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and contributes to cavities and gum disease.

Although many people brush their teeth daily, not everyone flosses their teeth as regularly as they brush. According to a national poll, about 4 in 10 Americans floss their teeth at least once a day, and 20 percent of Americans never floss at all.

Of course, it isn’t enough to simply floss. It’s important to floss correctly. Improper flossing can potentially damage your teeth and gums. So, if you’re unsure about the right way to clean in between your teeth, here’s a step-by-step guide on the best way to floss.

Flossing: What are the steps to follow?

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

Flossing instructions

1. 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.
2. Next, hold the floss taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Repeat the steps as you move from tooth to tooth. With each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.

What’s the best way to floss with braces?

Flossing with braces can be tricky, and it takes more time than flossing without braces. If you use regular floss, give yourself 10 to 15 minutes to floss your teeth.

With this method, choose waxed floss, which is less likely to tear and get stuck in your braces.

Flossing instructions for braces

1. Break off about 18 to 24 inches of waxed dental floss.
2. Stand in front of a mirror so you can make sure the floss is going where you need it to.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Now, move on to the next two teeth, and use the same technique until you’ve flossed between all your teeth.

Instead of using waxed floss, other options that work well for flossing if you have braces include using a Waterpik, a type of water flosser, or a floss threader, a small tool that helps you thread floss under your braces. Both can save you time with flossing.

When should you floss?

Knowing the right time to floss also contributes to good oral health. Some people have a routine of brushing their teeth first and then flossing. However, it’s generally recommended to floss and then brush your teeth.

Flossing helps lift and release food and plaque stuck in between your teeth, while brushing removes these particles from your mouth. If you brush first and floss afterward, food and plaque remains in your mouth until the next time you brush.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day and brushing twice per day.

Types of dental floss

Dental floss comes in many varieties. Which type of floss is best for you depends on your preferences, the amount of space in between your teeth, and whether you have braces or bridges.

Some dental floss is easier to use in wider spaces, whereas other types of floss are easier to use in tighter spaces.

Different types of dental floss include:

• Dental tape. This type of dental floss is broader and flat like a ribbon, making it easier to handle if you have braces, gaps, or large spaces in between your teeth.
• Standard floss. This is a thin, nylon strand that can fit in between teeth. It comes flavored or unflavored as well as waxed or unwaxed. If your teeth are crowded or closer together, dental floss with a wax coating can make it easier to get in between them.
• Super flosses. This dental floss threader can work with braces, bridges, and gaps. It has three components: a stiffened end for flossing underneath appliances, spongy floss to clean around your appliances, and regular floss to eliminate plaque underneath your gumline.

Other tools to make flossing easier

In addition to dental tape, waxed floss, and floss threaders, other tools can make flossing easier and faster.

• One option is to use an electric flosser or a water flosser, which uses water and pressure to remove plaque and food from in between teeth. Both are great options if you have trouble using regular floss. A water flosser is also useful if you have braces. This device can clean in between brackets and wires.
• Another option is to use disposable floss picks. They’re easy to maneuver and can help you floss hard-to-reach teeth in the back of your mouth.

Takeaway

Good oral hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. It also involves flossing and knowing how to floss correctly.

Flossing helps remove bacteria, plaque, and food from between your teeth, and it reduces the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. Along with regular brushing and flossing, make sure you also schedule regular dental cleanings at least twice a year.

Interdental Brushes Cause Gaps

The key to using interdental brushes safely is to make sure that you choose the correct size for the space you’re working on. Forcing a brush that is too big into a small gap could cause trauma to the gums, which could lead to gaps between the teeth

Cons of flossing

• Difficult: Flossing can be difficult because it requires manoeuvring your hands inside your mouth and ensuring the floss reaches the right spots without harming your gums. If you have large or shaky hands, this can make flossing a struggle.
• Takes time: Properly flossing, reaching the gumline between each tooth, can be time-consuming. The effectiveness of your flossing relies on you reaching every spot. People often rush and diminish their efforts with improper technique.
• Discomfort: If you  use floss incorrectly, flossing can cause bleeding and discomfort by harming your gums. This can get better over time while you learn using floss, but some people continue to face mild discomfort for the long term. Wrapping floss tightly around the fingers can also be uncomfortable.
• Flossing with braces: Flossing can be hard to do with braces and wires or other orthodontic appliances. Leading to ineffective form or incomplete coverage.

Interdental brushes or rubber interdental picks

Interdental cleaners may not be as popular as traditional floss, but they are catching on as an effective flossing alternative. 

In patients suffering from gum diseases, interdental brushes are even more efficacious than floss in the interdental spaces created by the gum retraction. Many people love interdentals because they are easy to use and achieve a “cleaner” feeling compared to flossing.

Advantages of interdental cleaners

Cons of interdental cleaners

• Learning curve: If you haven’t used interdental cleaners before, you may not know where to start in using them effectively. However, once you get it down, you may find it easier and faster than flossing.
• Discomfort: First-time interdental users can find the small interdental cleaners uncomfortable, especially if they are used to flossing and/or invest in the wrong size. It may be best to start small and work up to the right size for you. Being gentle is key. Never force a brush in.
• Reaching tight spaces: When teeth are tightly bunched together or you’re trying to reach an extremely small space, floss can sometimes be the best solution.
• Costs: Interdental cleaners can entail more up-front cost than a roll of floss, although the cleaners are reusable so they often end up providing better value in the long run.

It seems so simple to just slide some string between your teeth to clean those hard-to-reach areas.  While the idea is simple, there are a few techniques that you need to master in order to maximize the return on the time you spend flossing.

Here are ten common mistakes that people make when they floss:

2 – Using the Same Section of Floss Between All of Your Teeth

When you floss you are removing bacteria from between your teeth and below the gum-line.  If you use the same section of floss for all of the teeth in your mouth, you are spreading around a lot of bacteria.  Of course you still are loosening the plaque, which has its benefits, but if you use a new section of floss each time you floss between two teeth, you will be loosening the plaque without putting plaque that you’ve already removed back in between your teeth.

3 – Snapping the Floss Down Hard Between Your Teeth

To get the floss to go between a tight contact between two adjacent teeth, try working the floss back and forth applying a firm but controlled downward pressure.

Snapping the floss down between the teeth can not only injure your gums in the short-term, but the trauma can cause your gums to recede.  Do it enough, and you’ll cause gum disease.

4 – Not Flossing Behind the Very Back Teeth

Even though there isn’t a tooth next to it, it is still important to clean behind the four teeth that are all the way in the back of your mouth (two teeth on each side in the upper and lower jaws.)  This can help remove bacteria that has made its way  between your tooth and gums.

6 – Not Flossing Around Dental Appliances

Many people don’t know that if they have fixed dental appliances in their mouth, they need to floss around them.  For example, if you have a bridge, it is necessary to use a floss threader, or get something similar to Oral-B Superfloss.

7 – Quitting When Your Gums Bleed

Blood may scare some people when they floss because they think that they are hurting their gums if they bleed.  You are not hurting them as long as you’re not flossing too hard (see mistake #3.)

9 – Not Applying Pressure to the Tooth Surface

10 – Only Using Floss to Remove Food

Unfortunately, lots of people think that the only reason for flossing is to remove food that has gotten wedged between their teeth. I think many people end up doing this because they can see the food between their teeth — they can’t see the plaque.  An easy solution to this problem is to use a plaque disclosing tablet/solution to visualize the plaque on your teeth.

Floss Correctly and Keep Your Teeth For Your Whole Life

By avoiding these ten common mistakes, you will be able floss more efficiently which will lead to greater oral health.  Since many cavities start out between two teeth, you will be able to prevent many cavities by regularly flossing and avoiding these ten flossing mistakes.