Dental floss cleans plaque better than regular toothpicks. However, using dental floss incorrectly can cause damage to teeth and gums.
Using dental floss helps clean the spaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach, as well as prevents the risk of gum damage from using toothpicks. This is why dentists recommend that everyone should use dental floss at least once a day.
However, according to Dr. Carlos Meulener, a reputable dentist in New Jersey, USA, most of us have been using dental floss incorrectly for many years. Dr. Meulener recently posted a video demonstrating the “correct” and simplest technique for cleaning between teeth with dental floss so that we can confidently show off our bright smiles.
According to Dr. Meulener, first, we need a piece of dental floss about 45 cm long and wrap it around our index fingers, but not too tightly to avoid pain.
“The reason most people have trouble using dental floss is that they try to put too much floss into their mouths. The way to control the floss is to use your thumbs for the upper teeth and your middle fingers for the lower teeth. Leave a moderate amount of floss between these fingers so you can easily maneuver it back and forth“, Dr. Meulener stated.
The American dentist noted that when cleaning the spaces between the upper teeth, we should place our thumbs about 2.5 cm apart, then insert the dental floss into the gaps, making an up-and-down motion along the teeth, rather than “sawing” side to side. In this case, one thumb should remain still while the other moves up and down to create a motion that removes bacteria from the gaps.
Similarly, for the lower teeth, one middle finger should stay still, while the other moves up and down between the teeth.
The way to control the floss is to use your thumbs for the upper teeth and your middle fingers for the lower teeth.
Once you master this technique, the entire process takes only 1 minute, but it will make a significant difference to your oral health.
Dental floss is divided into two types:
- Multifilament dental floss is made from many thin nylon strands, which may be waxed or unwaxed, lightly scented, quite thin, and has good elasticity but can fray and tear into small strands when used.
- Monofilament dental floss (also known as PTFE floss) is made from a single strand of PTFE plastic, which is quite thin, smooth, and has a small diameter, making it easy to slide through tight spaces without fraying.
Currently, dental floss available on the market comes in two popular forms: roll-type that you cut as needed, or pre-cut with short strands attached to a small C-shaped holder.
Doctors note that many users who are not accustomed to dental floss tend to use too much force, causing the floss to cut into the gums, resulting in soft tissue damage, leading to bleeding or detachment of the gum from the teeth.
Additionally, some people are too frugal, using the same piece of floss for all gaps. This inadvertently spreads bacteria widely, easily causing bad breath. Furthermore, the length of the dental floss should be over 30 cm for better control.
Moreover, thick and stiff dental floss is no different from toothpicks; using it for a long time can lead to teeth spacing issues. Instead, you should choose thin, soft, and smooth floss to avoid damaging the enamel.
Research has shown that cleaning between teeth with dental floss can prevent the accumulation of plaque that causes discomfort and gum inflammation due to food getting stuck in the gaps. Gum disease leads to bad breath, bleeding gums, and if left untreated, can result in cavities, gum recession, exposed tooth roots, and tooth decay.
Statistics show that 15-20% of adults aged 35-44 worldwide suffer from severe gum disease.
