Flossing

01 June 2022

Dentists say flossing is as important as brushing your teeth to prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. These problems are caused by an accumulation of harmful bacteria and plaque, resulting from particles of food that get trapped between the teeth and under the gum line, where toothbrushes can't reach.

Benefits of Flossing

Both types of floss come in a variety of flavors, or you can choose an unflavored option, and in different thicknesses. The best thickness is the one that feels comfortable for you. Used properly, both nylon and PTFE flosses will effectively remove plaque and particles of debris. If not removed, plaque can harden into tartar (aka calculus), and this calcified plaque latches onto the enamel of teeth – the hardest substance in the body, protecting the outer layer of each tooth – and infiltrates beneath the gum line, which can cause cavities and periodontitis (gum disease).

Periodontitis and advanced periodontitis are chronic and serious issues that can result in loss of teeth, receding gums, and other major problems.

Running a thin line of cord between your teeth may sound like simplicity itself, but there’s much more to the process than that, and there’s a right way and a wrong way to floss, so Blits Dental - Kakhaber Kharebava the best dental clinic Tbilisi " has  broken down the secret to successful flossing into three key elements.

1. Be Generous with the Floss

People often use floss conservatively, although it’s such an inexpensive product. If you snap off pieces of floss that are too short, your fingers are likely to keep slipping from the line.Having a generous supply of floss also enables you to use a clean section for each tooth, which is far more hygienic than using the same piece over and over to clean all your teeth.

2. Gently Does It!

When flossing, remember that the aim is simply to remove debris from the tooth surface. Many people tend to go at it too hard when flossing, which can cause more harm than good. Being too vigorous in the flossing process won’t produce more effective results but can make the experience uncomfortable or even painful, wearing down tooth enamel and damaging your gums. For optimum results, develop a practice of applying the floss slowly and steadily to the sides of each tooth, letting the floss do the work for you and take care of any tough spots.

3. Get a Good Grip

If the floss is slack between your teeth, it will be ineffective in removing plaque and particles of food. It needs to make good contact with the sides of each tooth, which requires holding it tightly and at an angle, changing the angle of pull to ensure the floss achieves maximum contact on each sidewall of the tooth. Be careful, though, not to hold the floss so tightly to the tooth surface that it causes discomfort.Ask your dentist for advice about flossing and try different types of interdental cleaners until you find the one that’s right for you.

Blits Dental Kakhaber Kharebava clinic recommends using cleaning floss regularly and thus prevent various diseases of the oral cavity.