The use of dental floss is still not a matter of course in Germany. It is only with their help that the teeth can be thoroughly cleaned. FITBOOK answers the most important questions.
Brush your teeth in the morning and in the evening, most people have probably internalized this rule and feel on the safe side with their dental hygiene. Unfortunately, that’s not all, because a thorough cleaning of the teeth also requires dental floss every day. But when should you actually floss – before or after brushing your teeth?
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According to the North Rhine Dental Association, a toothbrush only removes around 70 percent of plaque. The remaining 30 percent hide in the interdental spaces. You can only get rid of this with dental floss or interdental brushes. It is all the more astonishing that in Germany only about every tenth citizen uses dental floss. Maybe it’s also due to a certain insecurity as far as use is concerned. That’s why FITBOOK answers the most important questions.
Also interesting: What should you pay attention to when cleaning the interdental spaces?
How often and when should you floss?
Ideally once a day. It is particularly recommended in the evening, as it allows you to remove plaque and food residue that has accumulated during the day before going to bed.
Should you floss before or after brushing your teeth?
First of all, every use of dental floss is a cleaning success. However, it is particularly useful to use dental floss before brushing your teeth, a study by Iran’s Mashhad University of Medical Sciences suggests.
After uniform prophylaxis, 25 dental students were not allowed to perform oral hygiene for 48 hours. After this period, participants should first brush their teeth and then floss. The process was repeated two weeks later, with the students first flossing and then brushing.
For the evaluation, the fluoride concentration (important for the remineralization of the teeth) and the dental plaque were measured with the help of the plaque index. The result was unequivocal: In the «First floss, then brush your teeth» variant, a significantly higher fluoride concentration and a significant reduction in plaque in the mouth and between the teeth could be demonstrated.
And a psychological aspect could also play a role, because those who have already brushed their teeth could tend to skip the «annoying» cleaning with the dental floss. The teeth are already felt to be clean – which of course is not entirely true.
However, if you prefer to use dental floss after brushing your teeth, you should rinse your mouth out afterwards, preferably with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Also interesting: That’s why you shouldn’t brush your teeth too often
Which dental floss is best?
There is now a wide range of dental floss products. Here it depends on personal taste, for example whether you prefer flavored dental floss. Two types are particularly important: waxed and unwaxed dental floss. The wax slides better into tight spaces between teeth and does not fray. The unwaxed dental floss frays, but offers a slightly higher cleaning performance due to the rougher surface.
Can I floss multiple times?
No way! Plaque, food scraps and bacteria accumulate on every piece of thread that slides between the teeth. That’s why you should use a fresh piece of silk for each interdental space. In the end, the used dental floss belongs in the garbage.
Also interesting: What should be considered when taking care of your teeth with crowns?
How do I properly use dental floss?
Take a piece of dental floss about 30 to 50 centimeters long. Stretch it between your two hands by wrapping the ends around your index fingers and then checking the tension with your thumbs. The piece of thread between your thumbs should then be about ten centimeters long.
Now push the dental floss carefully into the spaces between the teeth and form a slight U around the respective tooth. Move the floss from bottom to top (not front to back) to remove plaque. Do the up and down motion on each side of the tooth or interdental space. Use an unused piece of floss in each new space. And be careful not to injure your gums.
If you are still not sure how to use the dental floss, you can have them show you how to use it at your next visit to the dentist.
Also interesting: what to consider when it comes to dental care
Are bleeding gums dangerous?
Once you start flossing, your gums may bleed. On the one hand due to too rough application and on the other hand because the gums are sensitive in these areas and have to get used to the new load. After a few days at the latest it should no longer happen. However, if you only floss occasionally, you’re likely to get a little bleeding gums every time.
If your gums bleed frequently, you should always visit your dentist.