Tip: Using dental floss

Is just a toothbrush not enough?

Don't forget to care for using dental floss.

 

 

I didn't know how to use dental floss before, but after trying it once, I started carrying it in my bag and using it anytime.

Even though I brush my teeth properly, I find a lot of debris when I use dental floss.

Especially after eating meat, I feel like all the bits of meat stuck between my teeth come out after flossing, which also makes my teeth feel refreshed.

 

 

Oral care with just a toothbrush is not enough. It is important to use dental floss in periodontal pockets or narrow spaces between teeth where plaque easily accumulates.

The plaque removal effect is 58% when using only a toothbrush, but it improves to 86% when floss is used together. Caring for plaque on teeth and between teeth and in periodontal pockets that are difficult for a toothbrush to reach with floss once a day will further enhance plaque control effectiveness.

 

Here's how to use dental floss, an essential tool for plaque removal.

Mastering the proper use of dental floss allows for effective removal of plaque. The length of floss to use is about 40cm. Cut it based on the length from your fingertips to your elbow. Then, as shown in the picture, lightly wrap it around the middle finger joints of both hands, leaving about 10 to 15cm of space between them. Preparation is complete.

 

 

How to hold dental floss

Pull the dental floss with your thumbs and index fingers of both hands so that the gap between your fingers is about 1 to 1.5 cm. Be careful not to make this gap too wide, as an unstable floss can damage your gums.

• Raise one thumb upward and gently turn it with the index finger of the other hand.
• Press down with the index fingers of both hands pointing downward.
• Upper molar - press upward with the index fingers of both hands facing upward.
• Press down with both index fingers pointing downward under the molars.

 

Flossing motion

The motion of the dental floss is the same regardless of the area being used. Let's check with a mirror and move slowly.

• 1. Gently move the file as if pulling the teeth, gradually inserting it until it passes through the interdental space. ※ The same applies when pulling it upward.
• 2. Pass through the interdental space, move as if wrapping around the tooth, and insert into the periodontal pocket. ※ Be careful not to damage the gums.
• 3. Move up and down to clean the sides of the teeth. ※ Make sure to clean both sides of the teeth thoroughly.
• 4. Since dirty dental floss has plaque attached, after completing one area, wipe off the dirty part and use a new floss each time.

 

 

Floss Q&A

Can using dental floss damage your teeth?
Dental floss is intended to physically remove plaque attached to the teeth and does not damage the teeth themselves.

 

2. When I first used dental floss, it bled. Is that okay?
Bleeding is not uncommon. It may be due to weakened gums or gum disease. Usually, bleeding stops after a few days, but if it continues for several days, consult a dentist.

 

3. Does using dental floss cause the gaps between teeth to widen?
Using dental floss may make it feel like the spaces between your teeth have widened. This is evidence that the swollen gums, which had been inflamed until now, are beginning to heal.

 

Is flossing necessary for children?
Children also need dental floss. Let's make it a daily habit to use it and raise awareness of its importance.

 

Are there any points to consider when choosing dental floss?
The size between the teeth and the gaps varies from person to person. Of course, the important points in choosing dental floss also differ. Among them, there is a high demand for products that can be used smoothly even in narrow spaces between teeth and that have a high plaque removal effect.

 

 

 

Use dental floss correctly and maintain healthy teeth.

Prevention seems more important than treatment in dentistry.