Dental floss is an essential part of your oral care routine. It’s the only way to remove food particles that might cause cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. And if you use it to brush your teeth, it adds an extra level of protection against plaque buildup and tooth decay.
But flossing can be hard: it’s time-consuming and difficult to do properly. That’s where a dental floss holder comes in. A dental floss holder makes flossing easier and more effective by holding the floss taut between your fingers so you can guide it into those hard-to-reach places between your teeth. But how do you choose the right one? What features should you look for? And how do you know which dental floss holder will work best for you?
Read on to learn more about How To Use Dental Floss Holder, Dental Floss Toothpick and Effective and Gentle Cleaning with Dental Floss
How To Use Dental Floss Holder
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Ever since we first started going to the dentist, we’ve been hearing about the importance of flossing, but that doesn’t make this simple task any less annoying. Flossing only takes two minutes, but it’s one of those steps in our bedtime routine that many of tend to dread because we’re strapped for time or can’t stand it when our gums bleed.
Still, flossing is pretty important and it can even help prevent a range of dental issues. So this year, Shop TODAY is vowing to give it another try. To help jumpstart our flossing routine, we consulted the pros for some technique tips and even asked them to share a few of their favorite products to make flossing more bearable.
Why is flossing important?
We all know how useful flossing can be when you’ve got some food stuck between your teeth, but this often ignored task also has a range of other lesser-known benefits.
“Flossing is essential to maintaining a healthy smile, protecting your teeth and gums and preventing yourself from exposure to other dental-related complications,” Dr. Jasmin Henville, DMD, Aspen Dental practice owner in MA, said.
It might not seem like a big deal to leave some food remnants in between your teeth, but when left unattended, bacteria can build up and form plaque.
“Plaque biofilm can become unhealthy, turning into a virtual ‘petri dish’ for bacteria that can begin to express themselves harmfully (called pathogenic bacteria). This leads to the progression of gum disease,” biologic dentist and founder of Rejuvenation Health and Rejuvenation Dentistry Dr. Gerry Curatola told Shop TODAY.
It takes more than a toothbrush to properly remove plaque, and flossing can keep your teeth and gums strong and help prevent cavities.
How often should you floss?
You might only go to the dentist once or twice a year, but it’s the day-to-day maintenance that keeps your teeth in good shape, and flossing daily is a huge part of that.
“The formation of interdental plaque biofilm forms approximately every 24 hours, so minimally, you should floss once daily. However, it’s a good idea to floss both morning and night as the accumulation of food debris between teeth is a ripe environment for the formation of unhealthy plaque biofilm,” Curatola explained.
If you ever feel lazy and don’t want to carve out two minutes to floss, consider this analogy from Curatola: “I often compare leaving food debris between teeth to leaving garbage between buildings on a New York City side street on a hot summer day. Before you know it, it stinks and the rats come out to feed on it (yuck!).”
How to get better at flossing
Flossing isn’t rocket science, but finding the right technique that works for you does take a bit of trial and error. We asked the pros to share a few of of their best tips:
- Know the basics: “Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth. Curve the floss into a ‘C’ shape against the side of the tooth,” Henville said.
- Be gentle: “Do not snap the floss between teeth. Instead, gently slide ‘back and forth’ on the sides of each tooth in a gentle ‘lasso’ by rubbing the floss along the sides of the teeth before gently removing the floss through the contact of the two teeth,” Curatola said.
- Use enough floss: “Use about 18 inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite middle finger,” Henville said.
- Baby your more sensitive teeth: “Never ‘yank’ or pull the floss back up quickly between your teeth, especially under a crown, inlay, filling or any other dental restorations,” Curatola said. “Instead, gently slide the floss down towards the gum margins of each tooth and when finished cleaning the sides of the teeth, simply pull the floss straight out and do not pull back up towards the top of the tooth called the marginal ridge.”
Dental Floss Toothpick
Is using toothpicks or dental floss a part of your daily routine? If not, make that change today! Cleaning between your teeth is a great way to get rid of food that may have gotten stuck throughout the day. Sometimes we do not even notice these little leftovers, so try to do this every day regardless of whether you feel that little seed from your sandwich between your teeth or not.
Toothpicks or Dental Floss?
Toothpicks and dental floss come in different shapes and sizes so that you can choose the one that fits you and your teeth. Although you can pick one or the other, you can also use both depending on the situation. The most important thing is making an effort every day with brushing and cleaning between your teeth. This will help ensure good dental hygiene with healthy teeth and gums.
Effective and Gentle Cleaning with Dental Floss
Using dental floss once a day is often enough for most people, but feel free to use it more if needed. A good tip to help you remember to floss is to floss every night before brushing your teeth. This will help get rid of any leftover food between your teeth. Which then makes cleaning them with a toothbrush afterwards easier.
There are many different types of dental floss, for example some are designed for especially small spaces, such as Easy Slide Floss. Others expand to ensure more effective cleaning for slightly larger spaces, such as Expand Floss.
If you struggle to reach all of your teeth using regular floss a flosser tool, such as the Easy Clean Flosser, may be right for you. They come with a long handle making it easy to move around in your mouth. Also, this convenient handle makes it easy to store alongside your toothbrush. This may help act as a visual reminder to floss.
When using dental floss in any shape or size remember to be gentle. To maintain clean and healthy teeth gently move the floss up and down between your teeth. Try to avoid any sawing motions from side to side.
A great alternative: Toothpicks
If you are already using dental floss, great, then you do not have to use toothpicks as well. Yet, they may still come in handy especially on the go. They are easy to carry around and can help you remove that stubborn piece of food that got stuck during dinner.
As with dental floss, there are several types of toothpicks to choose from. Our Dental Sticks come in a nice dispenser, making it ready for display on your dinner table. With natural flavour and no additives, it is suitable for all occasions. Another option is Clinic Thin Toothpicks, which contains fluoride and mint. These are recommended for those with narrow to normal spaces between their teeth.
Again, remember to be gentle especially if you have sensitive or receding gums. A good start is to use dental floss daily and use toothpicks as a helpful supplement when needed.
Dental floss thread
Flossing helps prevent gum disease as removing plaque accumulated around the teeth can ensure the mouth remains clean and healthy. Flossing regularly with the best suitable type of floss can help avoid unplanned visits to the dental office. Here’re some of the most recommended types of flosses and their uses.
Simple floss (Dental floss)
Simple dental floss is a thread consisting of thin filaments. It helps in cleaning spaces between the teeth before tooth brushing. These threads can reach and clean teeth from every angle, ensuring the gumline areas remain spotless. You can buy a pack at grocery stores or pharmacies. However, this floss is not recommended for patients who have dental retainers, bridges, or braces.
Floss threaders
A floss threader is a piece of plastic that’s flexible and rigid. It assists the dental floss to pass around orthodontic wires, dental bridges, and retainers. Floss threader appears like a needle and can easily pass from the small space between the teeth.
Patients who have orthodontic appliances fitted in the mouth as a part of treatment do not have to neglect teeth. Floss threaders help them in cleaning all the teeth properly. Floss threader works fine with any floss thread, and you can buy the same from a pharmacy or a shopping mall that has a dedicated section for dental care products. Reusable floss threaders are most recommended, as they can be reused after merely rinsing with warm water after use.
What’s super floss?
The areas around bridges, braces, and dental wires can prove to be a heaven for plaque and harmful bacteria. Thus, these dental fixtures need proper attention while cleaning. And this is where super floss comes into the picture. These flosses have three components that work together—a regular floss thread, spongy floss, and a dental floss threader that has a stiffened-end.
The first part is stiffened-end dental floss. The spongy part (middle segment) of the floss consists of cotton or nylon threads coated with wax. The end part is a simple wax-coated piece of thread.
Super floss allows patients to clean the areas around dental fixtures, remove plaque accumulated under the gumline, and clean dental braces, bridges. Several brands offer flosses with multiple threads for cleaning braces. However, Oral B super floss is the most preferred option. You can purchase it in a box of single floss or a packet of 50.
Floss picks
Floss picks consist of a small handle with two end posts that hold a short string of floss. Also referred to as floss sticks, they can be used as an alternative to a wooden toothpick.
A floss pick is perfect for getting rid of food particles that accumulate between the teeth and along the gum line. It cannot clean areas under braces, retainers, and bridges. Dentists recommend the same for patients who have issues with their hands, fingers and cannot use a wooden toothpick. Some floss picks have threads that can work as tongue scraper as well. You can also opt for floss picks with handles that have no-slip grips.
Oral care products manufacturers also offer battery-powered floss picks in selected markets. These units are designed to clean the teeth, gums, and vibrate to massage these areas.
All-natural products
Patients can also opt for locally manufactured all-natural flosses that are either made from biodegradable silk or other natural materials. There are products with threads infused in tea tree oil or other natural antimicrobial oils.
Water picks and flossers
Advanced water flossers can remove the plaque between teeth within seconds. These devices use bursts of water and air for hasslefree cleaning. The option is best for patients who are uncomfortable with string floss. Users can fill water or mouthwash in the device, aim the nozzle on the affected teeth, and blast the debris away with just a few seconds. Your dentist can recommend the best water flosser as per your dental structure.
There’s no one-floss-for-all
One flossing product may not be suitable for all family members. Preferences of members change over time as per the individual’s dental health condition. Children initially need child-sized flossers and can opt for an electric flosser at a later stage. Similarly, persons with dental fixtures cannot do with simple floss and require floss threaders or super floss.
Unfortunately, just around 4 out of 10 Americans spend time in flossing daily. Initially, it may seem time-consuming, but it only takes a few minutes once you get used to the same. Individuals who floss just once should consider doing it before brushing every day so that the plaque and bacteria loosened after flossing are removed while brushing.
If you need a reputed dentist who can recommend the best type of floss for you or your child, you should fix an appointment at TruCare dental clinic in Roswell (GA).
FAQs Related to Flossing
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about flossing, have a look:
1.How often should you use super floss?
It is advisable to floss every day. While cleaning the teeth, dental fixtures need proper attention. Ignorance can lead to the buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria. Therefore, cleaning with Super Floss helps manage oral hygiene while protecting the teeth from caries/decay and periodontal problems on the abutments.
2. Is it OK to not floss with braces?
No, flossing is essential if you are wearing braces. Braces can easily accumulate food particles, liquids, or sugars when you eat or drink something. If not cleaned properly, it may lead to serious teeth and gum problems. Therefore, to ensure the good health of your teeth and gums, you must not ignore brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.
3. How many times can you use a floss stick?
Flossing is done to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth. Reusing the same floss stick may reintroduce the old bacteria and even some varieties of bacteria. Therefore, it is better not to use the same floss stick again.
4. Is a water flosser good for braces?
Yes, using a water flosser for braces is safe. It is a perfect tool to reach in those hard-to-reach corners
and gaps. Thus, help to keep teeth healthy and clean.
5. Can I use a normal thread for flossing?
Normal threads have a rough texture that may harm the gums if flossing is not done carefully. Besides, normal threads can break easily and get stuck in between the teeth. Instead, use dental floss that is specifically made for flossing purposes and is gum friendly. Dental floss can remove debris and plaque in-between the teeth easily without causing any harm.