Teeth

 “You don’t have to floss all your teeth…just the ones you want to keep.” (Quote Master)

Flossing is an essential part of your oral hygiene habit. It dislodges and cleans food particles stuck in between the teeth (particles that regular tooth brushing cannot remove) reducing the amount of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on the surface of the teeth, contributing to the formation of cavities and gum disease. When it comes to flossing, what should you know about the different types of dental floss?

Dental tape is flat and broader than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed. Because of its shape, people with larger gaps between their teeth are often more comfortable using them.

Disposable floss picks are an excellent alternative for those unable to work with traditional floss (including children). These picks contain threaded floss that be easily worked around teeth in a similar manner to traditional floss.

Electric flossers/water flossers are for those people that have a hard time working with traditional flosses (such as those with arthritis) Electric flossers provide an alternative. Electric flossers use pressurized air or water to clean between the teeth and stimulate the gum line.

Standard floss is thin nylon fibers twisted together. This design makes it easy to fit in the tight spots between your teeth. The downside to standard floss is it is prone to shredding and breaking. Standard floss comes in waxed (flavored) or unwaxed. While the light wax coating on standard floss helps to reduce the breaking, it can also make it more difficult to get into tight spaces.

Super flosses are a type of floss designed to help those with braces or dental bridges. It is made from a yarn-like material and consequently has stiff sections on the ends that help get in between braces’ brackets.

Many people brush their teeth every day, but not everyone flosses regularly. Only 4 in 10 Americans floss their teeth. Simply flossing is not enough. You need to floss correctly. Improper flossing can damage the teeth and gums. If you are not sure how to do so, here is a step-by-step guide to flossing teeth.

·       Break off 18 to 24 inches of dental floss. Hold it correctly by winding most of the floss’ length around both middle fingers. Leave 1 or 2 inches for the actual flossing.

·       Hold the dental floss taut with your index fingers and thumbs.

·       Place the floss between two teeth and gently glide it up and down so that it rubs against both sides of each tooth. Never glide the floss into the gums as it can cause some scratching or bruising.

·       Once the floss reaches the gums, curve it at the base of the tooth so the floss can enter the space between your teeth and gums.

·       Repeat the above steps as you move from one tooth to another. Make sure that you use a new, clean section of the floss with each tooth.

There are a few common flossing mistakes that many people make. Sometimes, they are not aware that they are flossing wrong. Improper flossing can cause bleeding and pain, or will just not give you the optimal tooth cleaning results. Take note of the common mistakes to avoid listed below.

·       If you aggressively push and pull the floss into the gums, you can cut or injure gum tissue. If you have inflamed gums because of gingivitis, leading to bleeding gums.

·       If you floss without wrapping the floss around every tooth in a “C” shape to hug the tooth, you are not flossing thoroughly.

·       If you are merely popping the floss in between teeth and popping it back out, you are not properly cleaning the biofilm on the surface of the tooth.

·       Not flossing every day, or not flossing enough, can be a big mistake. Many people only floss when they feel that something is stuck in between their teeth. A combination of brushing and flossing significantly reduces the risk of gingivitis compared to brushing alone.

If you thought dental floss was only beneficial for your teeth, below are some other ways it can be used:

·       Accidently break a necklace or bracelet, use dental floss to hold or sting it together until you can get it repaired at a jeweler.

·       Accidently break a necklace or bracelet, use dental floss to hold or sting it together until you can get it repaired at a jeweler.

·       Clean narrow nooks and crannies like that computer keyboard with dental floss. Try using dental floss to clean between stovetops and counter spaces.

·       Clean narrow nooks and crannies, like that computer keyboard, with dental floss. Try using dental floss to clean between stovetops and counter spaces.

·       Create Christmas garland for the tree or staircase banister from waxed dental floss.

·       Dental floss can be hoisted to create a quick clothes line.

·       Dental floss is strong. Use it to stitch a button on-the-fly as I have.

·       Discover nail art using dental flossers.

·       Discover nail art using dental flossers.

·       If you’ve run out of rope, braid a few strands of dental floss to create a crude version.

·       In the garden, use dental floss to suspend tomato vines as they grow when tied between two stakes. It also works for other climbing vine vegetable plants like string beans and peas.

·       In the garden, use dental floss to suspend tomato vines as they grow when tied between two stakes. It also works for other climbing vine vegetable plants like string beans and peas.

·       Keep cookies from crumbling by running unwaxed dental floss under them to keep them together.

·       Keep cookies from crumbling by running unwaxed dental floss under them to keep them together.

·       Keep food off the ground by hanging it with dental floss to get items out of the way of hungry scavengers and insects.

·       Leaky faucet keeping you up at night? Use dental floss to seal it around the threaded cap leaving the string to slowly drip water directly down the drain until you can call a plumber.

·       Leaky faucet keeping you up at night? Use dental floss to seal it around the threaded cap leaving the string to slowly drip water directly down the drain until you can call a plumber.

·       Make a fishing pole with dental floss and a sturdy branch to catch small to medium size fish. Stitch busted fishing nets.

·       Out of cooking twine? Use unwaxed dental floss to tie meats and chicken before grilling or roasting.

·       Out of cooking twine? Use unwaxed dental floss to tie meats and chicken before grilling or roasting.

·       Separate old photos from photo albums without tearing them by gently sliding dental floss between the photo and the album page.

·       Separate old photos from photo albums without tearing them by gently sliding dental floss between the photo and the album page.

·       Unwaxed floss and a sterile needle can stitch a wound until you reach an emergency room.

·       Use dental floss as a ponytail holder.

·       Use dental floss as a thread for clothing repairs, and sewing on buttons when traveling.

·       Use dental floss like a knife, and cut that birthday cake or cheese into nice even slices.

·       Use dental floss like a knife, and cut that birthday cake or cheese into nice even slices.

·       Use dental floss to hang small ornaments, sun catchers or wind chimes outside.

·       Use dental floss to hang small ornaments, sun catchers, or wind chimes outside.

·       Use dental floss to stitch playpens, laundry bags, knapsacks, beach bags or any other heavy material.

·       Use dental floss to stitch playpens, laundry bags, knapsacks, beach bags or any other heavy material.

·       Use dental floss to tie sturdy sticks together for an impromptu tent or tarp. Tie down a tent or tarp with dental floss. Use it to fix the broken mesh windows of your tent, or bag.

·       Use it to cut through soft food like bread, or cake.

·       Use unwaxed dental floss as boot or shoe strings.

·       Use unwaxed dental floss as guitar strings.

·       Use unwaxed dental floss as guitar strings.

·       Use unwaxed dental floss to hang pictures. Unlike wires, it will keep the paint on your walls scratch-free.

·       Use unwaxed dental floss to hang pictures. Unlike wires, it will keep the paint on your walls scratch-free.

·       Use waxed dental floss as a fire starter.

“Don’t choose favorites…Every tooth deserves to be flossed.” (Quote Master)[i]

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[i] Adapted from:

·       “BEST DENTAL FLOSS: KNOW THE TOP TYPES AND BRANDS” by Eric Kitts 

·       “30 Incredibly Fun and Inventive Ways to use Dental Floss” by Mark W. Langberg

·       “How to Floss Properly: Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing Teeth” by D. Dental

·       “HOW TO USE DENTAL FLOSS” by Oral-B