Your Dentist Wants You to Floss!

How many times has your dentist mentioned that you need to floss? How many times have you ignored the suggestion? While brushing can keep some parts of your teeth clean, floss works in other areas to prevent future dental problems.

History

Dental floss has been around since the early 1800s. A dentist began to suggest that people should clean in between their teeth with a silk floss. Later in the century, floss became more readily available to consumers. Unfortunately, most people didn't see the value in this added step right away. It wasn't until the material was changed to nylon that people began to really use floss.

Uses

Just like brushing, a dentist suggests that patients use floss daily. The user inserts the floss in between teeth to clean the area and remove unwanted materials. It can also go gently under the gum line to clean this part of the mouth as well.

The floss comes in a smaller package that usually contains several feet of material. It is easy to pull off the necessary amount, use it, and then get more if necessary. Floss comes in a variety of sizes and sometimes has different flavors, including mint.

A dentist usually has his or her own personal preference for the type of floss recommended to patients. Some prefer the traditional spools of floss, while others suggest using the floss picks. A plastic handle holds a piece of floss. This piece can be inserted in between teeth easily while gripping the handle. When the action is complete, the entire instrument is thrown away.

Frequency

It isn't unusual to hear a dentist recommend that patients brush frequently throughout the day. It prevents tooth decay and other oral problems. Flossing is no different. At the very least, it should be done at least once a day. Flossing can be done before or after brushing.

Starting the habit early is a great way to get kids to incorporate this into their oral hygiene routine throughout their lives. This is not something that most children can do on their own. It takes time for their motor skills develop to be able to make the right movements to clean between the teeth. A parent should be doing the flossing while explaining what they are doing. It is also a good idea to tell children why they need to floss so they understand its importance.

When individuals aren't sure whether their children are ready to floss, it is important that they consult with their dentists. Damage can be done to the gums and the teeth if flossing is done too frequently or if done incorrectly. If you aren't sure whether your flossing skills are effective, be sure to speak with your oral health care provider.