Floss is used to remove all the food particles, bacteria and plaque that is stuck in between your teeth. If you don’t floss your teeth, plaque will build up and your toothbrush is not powerful enough or has the capability to remove the plaque stuck between your teeth then you will be susceptible to gingivitis. Yeah, not good.
Most floss is made from plastic beads, which have been melted down and the liquefied plastic is squeezed like toothpaste into long, thin strands and then stretched. Dental floss is supposed to be unbreakable and additional layers like wax and flavouring agents are added to make flossing a bit more bearable.
We know the traditional type of stringed floss but there are several types of regular floss. There is waxed and unwaxed, mint flavoured floss, etc. There is no difference between wax and unwaxed floss but a lot of people prefer wax coated floss because it slides in and out of your teeth a bit easier than unwaxed floss. And mint floss just gives you the feeling of freshness and makes the act of flossing more pleasant.
Floss picks are very popular these days. Floss picks hold the floss for you, making it extremely convenient since you only have to use one hand. That convenience though comes at a price, they’re not as effective as regular floss. Floss picks don’t allow you to reach all the necessary angles that normal floss can.
An oral irrigator or dental water jet is a flossing device that uses a stream of pulsating water to remove plaque and food particles between teeth. It’s a new form of flossing that not only removes plaque but improves your overall gum health.
The proper flossing technique is as follows:
- Gather about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your two pointer fingers, leaving a couple inches to floss with
- Slide the floss gently up and down between your teeth
- Curve the floss in a ‘C’ shape around each tooth and be sure to go below your gum line. Don’t force it though because that can damage your gums and cause bleeding
- Use a new section of floss as plaque and/or food debris builds up.
