Brushing your teeth twice daily is a good habit suggested by every dentist, but do you know that it does not remove all the plaque and bacteria from the surface of the teeth? The bristles of the brush do not reach the space between the teeth. Flossing is a technique introduced to clean the area between teeth you cannot reach with your toothbrush. This technique involves scraping the plaque on the surfaces of the teeth with the help of a thread bound to a plastic handle. Visit the best dentist in Delhi to know in detail about the advantages of flossing and how to use it.

How to choose a floss:

There are different types of floss such as super floss, water flosser, air flosser, etc. It is recommended to choose the floss which is recognized by the IDA. Flossing in India is generally avoided by people, as it is a technique-sensitive procedure.

The technique is by holding a small amount of floss in between the thumb and other fingers; once the floss is inserted between the teeth, without applying much pressure, move it to and fro & from top to bottom without hurting the underlying gum tissue. Flossing once daily with the help of waxed floss is recommended by the best dentist in India preferably before going to bed.

Benefits of flossing:

1. Reduces the risk of cavities
2. Get rid of plaque
3. Prevents gum diseases
4. Reduces bad breath
5. Reduces the chances of heart diseases

Why must flossing be included in your daily schedule?

❖It is necessary to remove plaque from all the surfaces of the teeth because most oral bacteria are colonizers. So, any surface left without cleaning can lead to the formation of biofilm and plaque. When it comes into contact with gums, it leads to gum diseases such as gingivitis. The inflammation and bleeding of the gum tissue is the perfect environment for culturing bacteria, which results in aggravated gum condition. Or when the bacteria are colonized on a surface of the tooth (mostly in between teeth because the brush cannot reach the space between the teeth) it can cause cavities over time.

❖It is proven that flossing regularly helps in reducing conditions related to gums like gingivitis within six months.

❖If untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. During aggravated periodontitis, the bacterial infection can enter the main bloodstream to reach other organs such as the heart and can cause a condition called endocarditis. Also, periodontitis is related to other conditions such as diabetes which affects the entire body.

❖It is proven that flossing regularly helps in reducing plaque, which has a direct effect on interdental cavities.

❖A routine visit to the best dental clinic in India can help in guiding you through flossing techniques which helps in maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding other oral conditions.

FAQs about Flossing

1.Is gargling better than flossing?

No, flossing is different from mouthwash. Gargling mouthwash can only remove the odor-causing bacteria superficially while flossing helps in removing plaque from the surface of the tooth which is more effective than gargling.

2.Does flossing hurt my gums?

No, the right way of flossing doesn’t allow any contact with the gums. Moving floss in the direction away from the gums can help in avoiding any damage to your gums.

3.Does flossing cause spacing between teeth?

No, the correct method of flossing does not cause spacing between the teeth. Spacing in between the teeth is usually caused due to gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.