Flossing for Optimal Oral Hygiene: Preventing Cavities and Periodontal Disease
Dental floss: an essential ally for optimal oral hygiene
What is dental floss and why is it important?
Derived from sewing thread, dental floss is an oral hygiene tool designed to clean between teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Regular flossing helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, and other dental problems.
This article is part of a broader theme, which is dental hygiene. We have an article that covers this topic in a comprehensive manner: dental hygiene
The Benefits of Flossing for Oral Health
Flossing is the only tool that can effectively remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth. By removing this debris, you reduce the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. Additionally, flossing helps keep your breath fresh by eliminating odor-causing bacteria.
Cavity prevention
Flossing plays a major role in preventing cavities. By removing plaque and food debris, it limits the buildup of bacteria responsible for the deterioration of tooth enamel.
Prevention of periodontal disease
By cleaning the spaces between your teeth, flossing also helps prevent periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis. These diseases are caused by the buildup of plaque, which, if not removed, can cause gum inflammation and, eventually, the breakdown of alveolar bone.
How to floss correctly?
It is recommended to floss once a day, preferably before brushing your teeth. Here are the steps to follow for optimal flossing:
- Cut about 45cm of dental floss and wrap most of it around your middle fingers, leaving about 5cm of floss between your hands.
- Gently slide the floss between your teeth, following the curve of each tooth to avoid hurting your gums.
- Use a new section of floss for each interdental space to avoid spreading bacteria.
Choosing the right dental floss
There are different types of dental floss, such as waxed floss, unwaxed floss, silk floss, and fluoride floss. The choice of dental floss depends on your preferences and specific needs. For example, if your teeth are very close together, a thin, waxed floss may be more suitable. If you have braces, a thicker, stronger floss would be more appropriate.
Conclusion
Flossing is an essential tool for maintaining good oral health. Along with brushing, it helps remove plaque and food debris from between teeth, preventing cavities and periodontal disease. Remember: good oral hygiene is the key to a healthy, bright smile!
We obviously have several articles that cover this topic in more detail:
The importance of brushing your teeth twice a day
How long should you brush your teeth?
How to maintain your toothbrush
How to brush your teeth properly
We also wrote an article on how to avoid bleeding gums right here: Bleeding Gums
Our specific article on the benefits of dental flossing right here: dental floss
We wrote an article on how to make your own mouthwash: Making Your Own Mouthwash
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