Dental floss It is one of the procedures recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) for dental cleaning, as it has emphasized the need to brush your teeth with a flosser once every day. She also recommends brushing twice daily for two minutes with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Why should you use dental floss?
A toothbrush cannot go between your teeth to remove plaque (the sticky layer of tartar that contains bacteria). While the thread can penetrate between them for Teeth cleaning from tartar .
By flossing or brushing your teeth, you remove the layer of plaque and bacteria in it that feed on sugar and food particles that remain in your mouth after eating. And when the bacteria feed, they release acid that can feed on the enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth) causing tooth decay.
Also, plaque that has not been cleaned can eventually harden and collect on the gum line, leading to gingivitis and other diseases.
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When should you use dental floss?
The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that the best time to Cleaning teeth It is the time that suits you in the end. Some people prefer to floss their teeth as part of the morning ritual to start their day with a clean mouth, while others prefer to floss their teeth before bed so that they go to bed with a clean mouth.
Toothbrush or floss first?
It doesn’t matter if you brush or floss your teeth first, as long as you do a thorough brushing of all your teeth and practice these good oral hygiene habits every day. A study conducted in 2018 indicated that it is better Dental flossing First, then the brush. The study also indicated that flossing first reduces the accumulation of bacteria and plaque in the teeth, and then brushes the teeth to remove these particles.
In addition, brushing after flossing may also increase the concentration of fluoride between teeth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay by strengthening the enamel layer. However, the ADA confirms that flossing first or brushing first is acceptable, depending on your preference.
Can You Use Dental Floss Often?
No, you cannot use the thread as Teeth cleaning method Much. If you apply too much pressure when flossing, or if you floss too hard, you can damage your teeth and gums. But you may need to floss more than once a day, especially after meals, to clean food or plaque stuck between your teeth.
Are there alternatives to using dental floss?
It is considered Dental floss It is one of the tools used to clean between the teeth. They help remove the layer of interdental plaque (plaque that collects between teeth). It also helps remove particles, such as stuck food particles. Other interdental cleaning tools include:
- Dental floss (waxed or not).
- dental tape.
- Pre-threaded dental floss tools.
- Water flossers for teeth
- Power Air device to clean between the teeth with water powered air flossers.
- Wooden or plastic pieces.
- Small filament brushes (Proxy brushes).
Knowing that you should speak with your dentist to find out which of these tools is best for you for Removing tartar from teeth without damaging it.
Can you use dental floss with braces?
Orthodontics are devices that are placed on your teeth by an orthodontist to:
- straighten teeth;
- Fill in the gaps between the teeth.
- Treating chewing problems.
- Correct alignment of the teeth and lips.
So if you use braces, do the following:
- Limit your intake of starchy and sugary foods and drinks that contribute to plaque formation.
- Brush teeth after each meal to remove food particles from the braces.
- Rinse the teeth well to remove remaining food particles.
- Use fluoride toothpaste – if recommended by your orthodontist or dentist.
- Brush your teeth regularly to maintain oral health.
Also, when using string Cleaning teeth During the existence of the orthodontic, there are some tools that must be used to obtain a proper result without harming the orthodontic, which are:
- Thread with needle, which can clean under orthodontic wires.
- Waxed thread, which is less likely to rub against straightening wire.
- A water flosser is a flossing device used to clean teeth with water.
- Interdental floss brushes, which clean plaque between teeth and braces.
In the end
The American Dental Association suggests that you brush your teeth twice daily — about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste — and that you use an interdental cleaner, such as flossing, once a day. You can also use the floss before or after the brush.
In addition to brushing and flossing, you should make regular visits to the dentist to identify potential dental problems early, so that treatment can be simpler and less expensive.
