Why should we floss?
Dental floss is an incredibly useful hygiene tool which we can use to effectively clean the teeth and gums. We should use floss to reach the places in our mouth that a toothbrush is unable to remove.
Whilst tooth floss works to remove bacteria and residue from between the teeth, it is also great for preventative care. It keeps the gums bacteria-free, reducing the chance of gum disease.
How often should I floss?
Ideally, you should brush your teeth in the morning and the evening for an effective cleaning session.
If that’s not possible, you should aim to floss at least once a day, ideally in the evening, to ensure all the build-up of bacteria and plaque is removed before you sleep. This will decrease the chances of bacteria festering and becoming an issue.
Are interdental brushes and floss the same?
An interdental brush and floss are both dental accessories which are designed to clean in between the teeth. The way they function, look and perform differs, with each having a unique purpose.
An interdental brush is a more appropriate option when the teeth are gapped, or the individual is wearing braces. This is because it can fit into the spaces needed to be cleaned, and it can be flexed to the angles and contours of braces. Dental floss is better suited to those without gapped teeth or major dental issues.
An Interdental Brush
An interdental brush is a small device with a grip for the fingers to grasp onto. At the end is a wired brush which is used to clean between the teeth. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing people to buy the perfect-sized interdental brush for their dental needs.
They are most used for those with braces for their ability to fit around arch wires and effectively scrub bacteria from the brackets and gaps.
Dental floss
Dental floss is a string-like appliance which is wrapped around the base of the tooth and essentially scrapes and food and bacteria that are trapped between the teeth.
Are there alternatives to string floss?
Absolutely, there are alternatives to string floss. String floss isn’t always a practical option for patients, with some simply not being able to use it; fortunately, there are alternatives out there which offer the same level of cleanliness.
The first option is a water flosser, which uses water instead of a traditional floss thread to knock free any particles. The jet of water can remove any lingering particles whilst providing more comfort than its counterpart of a traditional floss.
For more control over the appliance, look to use something like a super flosser, which is like a traditional floss in how it cleans the teeth, but its design is what separates it from a traditional floss. This type of floss has a firm end on the floss to make navigating it between the teeth simpler.
A dental pick is often designed onto the end of a single-hand flosser, or can sometimes be sold as an individual item, which is able to prod and poke things to remove any build-up.
Another alternative to the traditional dental floss is dental tape, which is very different by design, with a flatter and wider surface area, which is better suited to people with gapped teeth.
If you are having any trouble with flossing, whether that be from overcrowding or simply not knowing how to do it, we can assist you in finding the right cleaning products and demonstrating effective techniques for cleaning the teeth.