This information was compiled for General Dentistry. Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by
belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry. As one of the 35,000 general dentists in the United Sates and Canada who are member of the Academy, your dentists
participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient
treatment. Visit the AGD’s website at www.agd.org. You have permission to photocopy this page and distribute it to your patients.
Facts on Flossing
Flosses and water picks
Plaque
is a sticky layer of material
containing germs that
accumulates on teeth, including
places where toothbrushes can't
reach. This can lead to gum
disease. The best way to get rid
of plaque is to brush and floss
your teeth carefully every day.
The toothbrush cleans the tops
and sides of your teeth. Dental
floss cleans in between them.
Some people use water-piks, but
floss is the best choice.
Should I floss?
Yes. Floss removes plaque and
debris that adhere to teeth and
gums in between teeth, polishes
tooth surfaces, and controls bad
breath. Floss is the single most
important weapon against plaque,
perhaps more important than the
toothbrush. Many people just don't
spend enough time flossing or
brushing and many have never
been taught to floss or brush
properly. When you visit your
dentist or hygienist, ask to be
shown.
Which type of floss should I
use?
Dental floss comes in many
forms: waxed and unwaxed,
flavored and unflavored, wide and
regular. Wide floss, or dental tape,
may be helpful for people with a
lot of bridgework. Tapes are
usually recommended when the
spaces between teeth are wide.
They all clean and remove
plaque about the same. Waxed
floss might be easier to slide
between right teeth or tight
restorations. However, the
unwaxed floss makes a
squeaking sound to let you
know your teeth are clean.
Bonded unwaxed floss does not
fray as easily as regular
unwaxed floss, but does tear
more than waxed floss.
How should I floss?
There are two flossing methods:
the spool method and the loop
method. The spool method is
suited for those with manual
dexterity. Take an 18-inch piece of
floss and wind the bulk of the floss
lightly around the middle finger.
(Don't cut off your finger's
circulation!)
Wind the rest of the floss
similarly around the same finger of
the opposite hand. This finger
takes up the floss as it becomes
soiled or frayed. Maneuver the
floss between teeth with your
index fingers and thumbs. Don't
pull it down hard against your
gums or you will hurt them. Don't
rub it side to side as if you're
shining shoes.
Bring the floss up and down
several times forming a
"C" shape
around the tooth being sure to go
below the gum line.
The loop method is suited
for children or adults with less
nimble hands, poor muscular
coordination or arthritis. Take
an 18-inch
piece of floss
and make it into a circle.
Tie it securely with three knots.
Place all of the fingers, except the
thumb, within the loop. Use your
index fingers to guide the floss
through the lower teeth, and use
your thumbs to guide the floss
through the upper teeth, going
below the gum line forming a
"C"
on the side of the tooth.
How often should I floss?
At least once a day. To give
your teeth a good flossing,
spend at least two or three
minutes.
What are floss holders?
You may prefer a pre-threaded
flosser or floss holder, which often
looks like a little hacksaw.
Flossers are handy for people with
limited dexterity, for those who
are just beginning to floss, or for
caretakers who are flossing
someone else's teeth.
Is it safe to use toothpicks?
In a pinch, toothpicks are effective
at removing food between teeth,
but for daily cleaning of plaque
between
teeth, floss is
recommended. Toothpicks
come round and flat, narrow and
thick. When you use a toothpick,
don't press too hard as you can
break off the end and lodge it In
your gums.
Do I need a waterpick
(irrigating device)?
Don't
use
waterpicks
as
a
substitute for tooth brushing and
flossing. But they are effective
around orthodontic braces that
retain food in areas a toothbrush
cannot reach. However, they do
not remove plaque.
Waterpicks are frequently
recommended for persons with
gum disease when recommended
by
your
dentist.
Solutions
containing
antibacterial
agents
like chlorhexidine or tetracycline,
available
through
a
dentist's
prescription, can be added to the
reservoir.
