A Dental Hygienist Teaches! Effective use of dental floss and 5 recommended brands
I heard that brushing teeth does not remove stains properly without using dental floss as well, is this true?
Yes, it is.
Since toothbrushes cannot reach the dirt between teeth, dental floss is essential for self-care to brush teeth thoroughly.
This time,Here are five recommended brands and effective uses of dental floss!
What is Dental Floss? Why a toothbrush alone is not enough
Dental floss is,Thread-like dental care products used to remove stains between teethIt is.
Insert dental floss between teeth and rub off stains on teeth.
In fact, it is said that 58% of tooth stains can be removed with a toothbrush alone. *
Brushing with a toothbrush alone is insufficient to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
However,Dental floss in addition to a toothbrush can remove as much as 86% of stains.(*)
The use of dental floss is very important because it can significantly reduce the amount of stains on the teeth compared to brushing with a toothbrush alone.
*Source: Japanese Journal of Periodontology 1975, "Cleaning Effectiveness of Interdental Brush and Dental Floss.
Types and characteristics of dental floss
For dental floss,There are several types of shapes and threads.Let's review the different types and their respective characteristics.
Shape of dental floss
For dental floss,
- Yarn is set in the holder.Holder type
- Wrap it around your finger and use it.Roll type."
There are two types of
Holder type is,1 to 2 cm of dental floss set in a Y- or F-shaped holderThe Y-shaped one is easy to use on the back teeth and the F-shaped one on the front teeth.
It is recommended for people who are not accustomed to using dental floss, as it is easy to place between teeth and can be easily used by beginners.
The roll type is,Use dental floss wrapped around your fingers instead of a holder.The feature of this product is that it is A clean thread is always ejected to clean between the teeth.
It is highly versatile because one can be used for everything from front teeth to back teeth to highly uneven dentition.
Dental floss thread
For dental floss,
- Nylon
- Made of polyester
- Wax coating available
- Without wax coating
and the feel of the product is different.
Generally, dental floss made of nylon or without wax coating,Easily entangled with dirt due to snaggingThis is a characteristic of the
On the other hand, dental floss made of polyester or with wax coating,Easy to insert between teeth and less likely to cause gum painIt is said.
Recommended 5 popular dental floss
Popular dental floss ①｜Oral Care Floor Floss
Each floss has 384 strands of fine Italian threads bundled together.
We use a fine and strong yarn with a swell,It entangles stains between the teeth.
Popular dental floss 2｜Platypus
Dental floss for use while wearing wire braces on teeth.
The design of the Platypus allows the holder to go under the wire, making it easy to pass dental floss to the root of the teeth while the wire is still attached to the teeth.
Popular Dental Floss ③｜Reach Dental Floss with Fluorine
This dental floss is coated with fluoride, which is effective in preventing cavities.
This helps to deliver fluoride between the teeth while removing stains.
Popular Dental Floss 4｜Clinica Advantage Sponge Floss
If you put it between your teeth,This dental floss has a thread that expands 3-4 times with saliva.
The swollen, spongy dental floss helps to firmly entangle dirt.
Popular Dental Floss 5｜LION Ultra Floss
This dental floss is made of a durable material called Temikron, which is easy to pass between teeth.
The Y-shaped holder type is easy to use for beginners,It is recommended to floss while wiping off dirt, as it is difficult to cut.
Proper use and precautions for dental floss
Since the usage differs slightly between the holder type and the roll type, we will explain the correct usage and precautions for each.
Usage and precautions for holder-type dental floss
For holder-type dental floss, use the following procedure.
- Hold the holder and put the thread part between the teeth,Insert it by pulling the saw in the direction of the gums.
- Press the dental floss against each of the right and left surfaces,Move it up and down to scrub off stains on the tooth surface.The following is a list of the most common problems with the
- Pull the dental floss out from between the teeth by moving it upward as if pulling a saw.
- Remove dirt from dental floss with water or tissue.and move on to the next tooth.
Notes,
- When inserting dental floss.Do not push too vigorouslymake sure to
- Once used,Use water or tissue to clean the dirt off the dental floss before moving on to the next tooth.after an inflectable word, creates a noun phrase indicating something the speaker does not feel close to
The two are.
If you vigorously insert it between your teeth, the dental floss sticks in your gums and hurts.
If you have difficulty controlling the force, it is easier to control it by moving it by holding it as close to the thread as possible.
Also, if you move on to the next tooth with stains on the dental floss, the stains on the dental floss are pushed between the teeth.
Any dirt on the dental floss should be removed with water or tissue before moving on to the next tooth.
Usage and precautions for roll-type dental floss
Use roll-type dental floss according to the following procedure.
- Cut a length of dental floss about 40-50 cm long.The approximate length is from fingertip to elbow.
- Wrap dental floss around the middle fingers of both hands.Wrap two to three laps around one middle finger and all remaining dental floss around the other middle finger.
- When you pick up the dental floss with the index fingers and thumbs of both hands, the thread should be about 3 cm taut.
- Apply dental floss to teeth and between teeth,Insert it by pulling the saw in the direction of the gums.
- Press the dental floss against each of the right and left surfaces,Move it up and down to scrub off stains on the tooth surface.
- Pull the dental floss out from between the teeth by moving it upward as if pulling a saw.
- Wrap the soiled dental floss around your middle finger before proceeding to the next tooth.
Notes,
- When inserting dental floss.Do not push too vigorouslymake sure to
- Dirty dental floss is used by wrapping it around the middle finger,Always put new thread between teeth.after an inflectable word, creates a noun phrase indicating something the speaker does not feel close to
The two are.
As with the holder type, vigorous insertion may damage the gums.
Also, once the surface is used, it is dirty, so before moving on to the next tooth, wrap the dental floss around your middle finger and use a new surface.
summary
Dental floss is,Dental care products needed to remove stains between teeth that cannot be removed with a toothbrush aloneIt is.
Incorporate it into your daily self-care routine, even if only once a day.
If you are not sure how to use it or what kind, it is recommended that you get advice from your dentist during a regular checkup.
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Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo
After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a dentist and dental writer.
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