A Dental Floss A Day Keeps The Gingivitis Away

Part of the most important aspects of oral hygiene is flossing. Other than the use of a toothbrush, toothpaste or mouthwash, different dentists, including those dentist beverly hills residents, have stated that flossing in combination with toothbrushing can prevent gum disease, halitosis, and dental caries. However, a significant number of people still do not floss. They don't even know what a floss is or how flossing helps maintain oral hygiene.

A dental floss is either a bundle of thin nylon filaments or a plastic (teflon or polyethylene) ribbon used to remove food and dental plaque from teeth. The floss is gently inserted between the teeth and scraped along the teeth sides, especially close to the gums. Dental floss may be flavored or unflavored, and waxed or unwaxed.

Use in dental hygiene

Dental floss is commonly supplied in plastic dispensers that contain 10 to 50 meters of floss. After pulling out the desired amount, the floss is pulled against a small protected blade in the dispenser to sever it. The floss is then held between the fingers and is guided between each tooth and under the gumline to remove particles of food stuck between teeth and dento-bacterial plaque and adhered to such dental surfaces. Ideally using a C-shape, the floss is curved around a tooth and placed under the gumline, and then moved away from the gumline, the floss scrapes the side of each tooth, and can also clean the front or back of the tooth.

Gently moving the floss from below the gumline and away from the gumline removes dento-bacterial plaque attached to teeth surfaces above and below the gumline. A clean section of floss can be used to clean each tooth to avoid transmitting plaque bacteria from one tooth to another.

Specialized plastic wands, or floss picks, have been produced to hold the floss. These may be attached to or separate from a floss dispenser. While not pinching the finger, using a wand may be awkward and may also make it difficult to floss at all the angles possible with a finger. Although, at the same time, the enhanced reach can make flossing the back teeth easier. However, according to the dentist beverly hills experts, these types of flossers may be missing the area under the gumline that needs to be flossed.

One disadvantage of using dental flosses, according to the dentist beverly hills experts, is its occasional use. Occasional flossing and/or improper flossing can typically lead to bleeding gums. This is why dentists recommend flossing once a day at most, preferably before bedtime, to help prevent receding gums, gum disease, and cavities between the teeth. The main cause of the bleeding is inflammation of the gingival tissue due to gingivitis.

Anne Fields, currently working as an assistant professor, has been presently active in the dental organizations over the United States. She has attained credibility and high respect for her vast experience as being one of the top 25 speakers these days. She also writes articles about proper dental hygene in her free time.