Dental Floss
Oral and dental health means much more than just an aesthetic smile or beautiful looking teeth. In fact, our oral health is a mirror of our overall health. A healthy mouth is considered one of the cornerstones of a healthy body and directly affects the quality of life.
There are seemingly simple but extremely effective methods to protect oral and dental health. In addition to regular tooth brushing habits, using floss is one of these methods. However, its use is a habit that is often ignored or ignored. However, it plays a vital role in preventing tooth decay and gum diseases. While brushing teeth alone cleans tooth surfaces, it may be insufficient to remove plaque accumulation between teeth.
What is Dental Floss and Why is it Important?
It is a thin material designed to clean food residues and plaque between the teeth. It provides effective cleaning in areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. Tooth brushing is an effective method for cleaning the plaque on the surface of the teeth, but since it cannot enter the interfaces of the teeth, it cannot completely clean the residues accumulated there. Therefore, using floss is a complementary and important part of dental cleaning.
Effects of dental floss on oral health:
- Cleaning Plaque: Plaque is a sticky layer formed by bacteria naturally found in the mouth. Plaque accumulation can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. The floss effectively cleans the plaque between the teeth.
- Preventing Tooth Decay: Tooth decay usually begins at the interfaces of the teeth. Dental floss reduces the risk of decay by removing food debris and bacteria in these areas.
- Maintaining Gum Health: Plaque buildup can cause inflammation in the gums over time. Regular use of floss can prevent gum diseases.
How to Use Dental Floss?
Flossing requires attention and correct technique; Improper use may damage the gums and cause discomfort. To use it correctly, first cut a rope about 45-50 cm long; this length allows you to use a clean section between each tooth. Wrap the ends of the dental floss around the middle fingers of both hands, leaving a space of approximately 2-3 cm in the middle, and gently slide the floss between the teeth; Avoid pressing too hard at this time, as this may damage the gums.
Wrap the floss around a tooth to create a C shape and increase the amount of floss contacting the tooth surface; then gently move the floss up and down across the tooth surface to remove plaque and food debris, repeating this process for all teeth.
Benefits of Flossing
Using dental floss is an indispensable part of maintaining oral health, and when applied regularly, it creates positive effects on general health with the benefits it provides. Dental floss effectively removes food residue and plaque accumulation by reaching the narrow spaces between the teeth and the points that the toothbrush cannot reach. This not only improves oral hygiene, but also makes teeth look cleaner and healthier. At the same time, preventing plaque accumulation is vital for gum health. Dental floss prevents gingivitis and bleeding by eliminating bacteria accumulated along the gum line, helps strengthen gum tissue, and reduces the risk of tooth loss by preventing gum recession.
It is not limited to oral hygiene and health only; It also contributes to fresh breath. Food debris stuck between the teeth can cause bad odors, and this may not be eliminated by brushing your teeth alone. Dental floss effectively cleans these residues and keeps your breath fresh. It also plays a critical role in preventing caries caused by plaque accumulation. Interface caries generally occurs on the surfaces where teeth come into contact with each other, and these areas are areas where bacteria can easily multiply when not cleaned. Regular use of dental floss prevents the formation of such cavities and helps keep teeth healthy in the long term.
Common Mistakes
- Using it hard: This may cause cuts and irritation on the gums, which may result in bleeding.
- Using Insufficient Time: You should clean between all your teeth carefully and carefully.
- Focusing on Front Teeth Only: All teeth, especially the back teeth, should be cleaned carefully.
Will Dental Floss Damage My Gums?
Dental floss is a very effective tool to protect oral health by cleaning food residues and plaque between the teeth. However, some people may be concerned about whether it will damage their gums. This concern is often directly related to using the wrong techniques. When used correctly, dental floss does not harm the gums, on the contrary, it helps maintain gum health.
If used incorrectly, it can damage the gums. For example, pushing the floss hard between the teeth can cause cuts or irritation to the gums. In addition, moving the floss quickly and uncontrollably increases the risk of damaging the gums. Such mistakes can cause the floss to put pressure on the gums and damage sensitive tissues.