We are taught from childhood to regular brushing in the morning. However, many people avoid evening hygiene procedures, not to mention the use of dental floss. It’s much more common to use a toothbrush when trying to clean your teeth after eating. Health requires taking care of your body, in particular, the condition of the oral cavity. Dental flosses (flosses) are gaining more and more popularity every year, especially among those who do not want to spend a lot of money on trips to the dentist.
So, do you need to floss before or after using the brush? We will deal with this issue.
Purpose of use
For some reason, many have a misleading opinion that you can take any thread (even for sewing) and use it for brushing your teeth. One of the latest inventions of modern science is floss, a dental floss that is used to clean molars. Such an innovative product allows us to solve the main dental problem - the spread of caries. The disease affects more than half of all adults and a lot of children.
How to floss your teeth ? In the photo posted in the article, this process is shown in detail.
Difference from a toothbrush
The toothbrush cleans teeth only superficially, while the interdental space remains intact. The teeth are very close to each other, so no even ultra-thin bristles can clean the internal surfaces properly. The food remaining between the teeth not only causes bad breath, but also becomes an excellent habitat for pathogenic bacteria.
How to floss teeth - before or after a brush? This is of interest to many.
There are many types of dental floss on the dental market . Everyone chooses the most suitable option for themselves. It depends on the distance between the teeth, the presence of prostheses, individual preferences and tactile sensations. To prevent the development of caries, the type of floss you choose does not play a role, the main thing is its fundamental use. But most often, users ask how to floss the back of their teeth with dental floss. About it below.
Kinds
Dental floss is divided into:
- Round. Suitable for those whose interdental space is quite wide. Flat - the choice of those whose teeth fit snugly together.
- Fragrant. Dental floss-impregnating composition may contain prophylactic or therapeutic substances, such as chlorhexidine or fluoride (they have disinfecting properties). Sometimes the composition aromatizes to give the cleaning procedure more aesthetics. How to floss the oral cavity with dental floss is described below.
- Waxed flosses are smooth, glide better on the teeth, are well suited for those who are just starting to use dental floss. They allow you to gradually learn how to use the thread without damaging the gums. Non-waxed flosses more intensively clean the interdental space and fight well against plaque and bacteria. Over time, a novice can move on to using them after waxing.
Basically, in the manufacture of dental flosses, silk of natural origin or artificially created fibers such as Teflon or nylon are used. The first option is preferable, which is natural, but it is not as practical as the other two. Silk has the ability to quickly tear and wear. Synthetic threads are much more expensive, but also last longer. The most popular at the moment is nylon, since in such products price and quality are most optimally combined.
And yet, how do you need to floss the oral cavity - before or after the brush?
Terms of use
Dental floss should be used as necessary. But experts still agree that in order to prevent the most optimal use of floss every day before bedtime or at least twice a week.
Quite often the question is asked about what to do first - to brush your teeth with a brush or floss. Opinions differ in this case. Some believe that floss can infect the gum with bacteria, while others argue that its use should be the final hygiene procedure. One thing is obvious - using dental floss is clearly useful. When deciding to purchase it, you should remember that you need to consult a dentist, especially if you wear braces or dentures. How to floss teeth correctly?
To effectively clean plaque from your teeth and prevent pathogens from entering the gums, you need to know how to use the floss. The following are the rules for using dental floss, the implementation of which will help to avoid the development of periodontal disease and caries.
Cleaning procedure
The procedure for cleaning teeth with floss should be carried out in the following sequence:
- Unwind about half a meter of dental floss from the coil, fasten it around the middle fingers so that between them there are about 10 centimeters of floss, which will undergo the toothbrushing procedure.
- Holding the floss firmly with your index finger and thumb, use caution to move it down and up between your teeth. Movement must be repeated several times. Consistently brush all teeth, moving the floss toward a clean cut.
- You can also wrap the floss around the tooth at the base so that it is slightly under the gum. Cleaning should be done in a circular motion, do not make much effort, as this can damage the soft tissue of the gums. In this process, measured and orderly actions are welcome.
- Remember to use a clean piece of floss for each tooth. Otherwise, you will transfer harmful bacteria from one tooth to another, which contributes to their widespread distribution.
- It is necessary to pull out the floss from the interdental space smoothly and gradually, making movements back and forth. At first it’s easiest to do the procedure in front of the mirror.
- If you have the knack and experience in flossing your teeth, the process will occur automatically, like with a toothbrush.
- You can not use the thread twice, this negates the results of its application.
- Having finished using flossing, you can brush your teeth or use a mouthwash. Now it’s clear how to floss. Before or after - you decide.
Contraindications
Medical research suggests that improper use of floss may well lead to inflammation in the oral cavity and even sudden tooth loss. This can happen when the rules and flossing techniques are not followed. The constant touching of the gums by the floss makes them more sensitive, soft tissues are destroyed and, as a result, the infection penetrates into the wounds. How to floss your teeth, you can also check with your dentist.
special instructions
It is necessary to ensure that there is no bleeding of the gums after the application of dental floss, as this may be a symptom of the presence of periodontal disease. In such a situation, it makes sense to immediately contact your dentist for help. If caries has already affected most of the teeth, cavities appeared, then the use of floss is also not recommended. With this picture, dental floss can worsen the condition of the gums, which will lead to serious consequences.
Children under the age of ten are also not recommended to use flosses, since they still have milk, brittle teeth. But even after reaching the required age, the procedure should be performed only under the supervision of parents.