Flossing removes food debris trapped in the spaces between teeth that cannot be accessed with a toothbrush and prevents plaque formation.
Oral hygiene includes tooth brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning and mouthwash. Regular flossing positively affects general health with its benefits for oral and dental care.
Plaque, which begins to form under the gum line, prepares the ground for the formation of caries by eroding the tooth enamel over time when not cleaned. Plaque formation grows into tartar and the gums become sensitive. In addition, tartar causes the tooth color to appear pale.
Plaque formations are removed with the use of dental floss. The possibility of pain, swelling and redness in the gums is reduced and the formation of advanced gingivitis known as periodontitis is prevented. In this way, protection is provided against diseases associated with general inflammation in the body. Teeth are tightly wrapped with healthy gums, tooth decay does not occur and tooth loss is prevented by preventing erosion of tooth enamel. A healthy and well-groomed mouth provides fresh breath.
Many studies have been conducted on the effect of oral health on the heart and cardiovascular system. General inflammation in the body may be related to the cause of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis. Even diseases that are not related to the mouth can be indirectly prevented by flossing.
Specialized dentists recommend brushing twice a day and flossing once before bedtime. Tongue cleaning and mouthwash also ensure the integrity of oral hygiene. If flossing is done just before tooth brushing, it will reveal the residues and cleaning will be easier during tooth brushing.
In the past, dental floss was made of silk material. Today, there are options such as nylon material, waxed, unwaxed, wider thickness waxed dental tape, superfloss dental floss. There are also alternative products to dental floss called air floss and water floss for those who have difficulty in flossing.
When using dental floss, a rope of about 50 cm in length is wrapped around the middle fingers of the hands on both sides, leaving 5 cm of rope in between. The string is stretched with the index and thumb fingers and passed between the teeth. Taking care not to break the string and not to damage the gum, hold the floss in a C-shaped grip on the tooth and slowly move it up and down in the tooth gaps so that it enters under the gum line. When moving to the next tooth, the same method is repeated by switching to the unused part of the floss. Information is obtained from the dentist about the choice of floss suitable for the person and how to apply it. If sensitivity or bleeding occurs in the gums, the application is stopped and the dentist is consulted.
