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What is flossing?

Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin piece of synthetic cord (dental floss) you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth.

Why is flossing important?
Many dentists believe that flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque. In any event, daily flossing is an excellent and proven method for complementing your brushing routine and helping to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other dental problems later in life. It also increases blood circulation in your gums. Floss removes plaque and debris that stick to your teeth and gums.

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Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by exposing your child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars. It can destroy the teeth if left untreated. Culprits include milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas, and other sweet drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around your baby’s teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that live in plaque. Pacifiers dipped in honey, sugar, or syrup are just invitations to tooth decay.

Encouraging your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday can ward off baby bottle tooth decay. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. When juice is offered, it should be in a cup.

Children should be weaned from the bottle as soon as they can drink from a cup, but the bottle should not be taken away too soon. The sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles and the tongue.

How often to floss
Floss at least once every day. Like brushing, flossing should take about three minutes and can easily be done while doing another activity, such as watching television.

Types of floss
Dental floss today is made up of a variety of materials and comes in many forms - waxed and unwaxed, flavoured and unflavoured, wide and regular.

Wide floss (dental tape) is often useful for people with a lot of bridge work or for people with wide gaps between their teeth. Waxed floss is known to glide easier between tooth surfaces, and is often preferred by people who have discomfort from floss pushing against the surfaces of their teeth.

A popular device many patients use is called a ‘pre-threaded flosser’, or ‘floss holder’. These are useful for beginners, caretakers, and people with dexterity problems. While they can be used safely for removing food between teeth, toothpicks should not be used as an alternative to floss. Toothpicks can break off and cut your tender gums and become lodged between teeth.

Flossing techniques
There are two common methods for flossing - the ‘spool’ method and the ‘loop’ method.

 

How to hold floss	Pointer fingers down for lower teeth	Thumbs for upper teeth	Arrows indicate direction to floss

The spool method is the most popular for those who don't have problems with stiff joints or fingers. The spool method works as follows: break off about a 45 cm of floss and wind most of it around your middle finger. Wind the rest of the floss similarly around the middle finger of your other hand. This finger takes up the floss as it becomes soiled or frayed. Move the floss between your teeth with your index fingers and thumbs. Manoeuvre the floss up and down several times forming a ‘C’ shape around the tooth. While doing this, make sure you go below the gum line, where bacteria are known to collect heavily.

The loop method is often effective for children or adults with dexterity problems like arthritis. The loop method works like this: break off about a 45 cm of floss and form it into a circle. Tie it securely with two or three knots. Place all of your fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Use your index fingers to guide the floss through your lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, going below the gum line and forming a ‘C’ on the side of the tooth.

With either method of flossing, never ‘snap’ the floss because this can cut your gums. Make sure that you gently scrape the side of each tooth with the floss.

Your gums may be tender or even bleed for the first few days after flossing. This should diminish with regular flossing.

If you have dexterity problems or a physical disability, you may find it difficult to hold onto your toothbrush or dental floss. Try these techniques:

• Enlarge the brush handle with a soft material such as a sponge, rubber ball, or bicycle handle grip
• Lengthen the handle with a piece of wood or plastic such as a ruler, popsicle stick, or tongue depressor
• Tie floss into a loop for easier handling
• Use a wide elastic band to attach the brush to your hand
• Use an electric toothbrush or commercial floss holder

Flossing alternatives
There is no alternative to flossing, although some people have tried water picks. While water picks may be effective for people with orthodontic braces, they do not remove plaque. Dentists sometime recommend water picks for people with gum disease because flossing is simply too painful. Other alternatives include solutions containing antibacterial agents such as chlorhexidine or tetracycline, which are available by prescription.