| How
should I floss? |
| How
long does it take for flossing to start paying off? |
| My
gums bleed when I floss; should I stop when this
happens? |
| I've
never cleaned in between my teeth before; is it
too late to start? |
| What
kind of floss is best? |
| Are
there flosses for special conditions? |
| My
teeth have wide gaps between them; do I still have
to floss? |
| Are
there other methods of cleaning in between? |
| When
should children start flossing? |
| |
It is important
to clean in between your teeth daily because it
is a front-line of defence in preventing gum disease
and bad breath, and can play a role in preventing
tooth decay too. It allows you to get to the areas
beyond the reach of your toothbrush.
Using dental floss daily is one of the common ways
to clean between your teeth. |
|
| How
should I floss? |
| |
| Step
1:
|
 |
| Take
about 18 inches (50cm) of floss and loosely
wrap most of it around each middle finger
(wrapping more around one finger than the
other) leaving 2 inches (5cm) of floss in
between. |
| |
| |
 |
| Step
2:
|
| With
your thumbs and index fingers holding the
floss taut, gently slide it down between your
teeth, while being careful not to snap it
down on your gums. |
| |
| |
 |
| Step
3: |
| Curve
the floss around each tooth in a "C"
shape and gently move it up and down the sides
of each tooth, including under the gumline.
Unroll a new section of floss as you move
from tooth to tooth. |
| |
| |
|
| At first,
flossing might feel awkward. But stick with it!
With just a little patience and practice, it will
begin to feel as natural as brushing your teeth. |
|
| How
long does it take for flossing to start paying off? |
| The fact
is, flossing provides unmistakable benefits that
start from day one. After flossing, your teeth and
gums feel cleaner because the floss reaches areas
your toothbrush can't. Your breath will be fresher,
and the health of your gums will improve. So, if
your dental floss is gathering dust on the bathroom
shelf, why not pick it up and try again? Even if
it feels awkward at first, keep practicing. Pretty
soon, you'll feel the difference and find that it
becomes part of your daily routine. |
|
| My
gums bleed when I floss; should I stop when this
happens? |
| It is quite
common for your gums to bleed when you first start
flossing. It may be a sign that you have some form
of gum disease. After a few days of flossing, the
bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier.
If bleeding persists, consult your dentist. |
|
| I've
never cleaned in between my teeth before; is it
too late to start? |
It's never
too late. Whatever your age, interdental cleaning
provides major benefits to your teeth and gums that
you'll notice right away so the sooner you start,
the better.
Interdental cleaning makes your teeth and gums feel
clean because it reaches areas a toothbrush can't
reach. It also keeps your breath fresh and, more
importantly, it can stop gum disease in its tracks.
|
|
| What
kind of floss is best? |
| While
there are a number of different kinds of floss,
they are all designed to reach between the teeth
and below the gumline to remove plaque. The most
important factor is finding a floss that is comfortable
and easy for you to use.
Some of the newer flosses, like Oral-B's SatinFloss®,
are designed to be easier to use. It is shred-resistant
and slides smoothly between the teeth. Oral-B's
Satinfloss also provides a fresh burst of mint
flavor when you use it, which creates a wonderfully
fresh, clean feeling in your mouth. This is perhaps
why, in consumer and professional use studies,
it was preferred 2 to 1 over a leading competitor
floss.1
|
|
 |
| If you have
trouble holding or using floss, you may want to
try a dental flossette. It eliminates the need to
wrap and guide the floss between the teeth with
the fingers, and can give you better control. Once
the flossette is inserted between the teeth, use
the same method of flossing as above. Flossettes
are often easier for children to use as they start
to learn how to floss their own teeth. |
|
| Are
there flosses for special conditions? |
| |
 |
| If you have
braces or restorative dental work (such as a bridge)
that interferes with normal flossing, you may want
to try a threading floss. Oral-B
SuperFloss® is unique because it has three
sections in each strand: a stiffened end that allows
it to be threaded in between your teeth, around
braces, or under bridgework; a spongy floss, to
clean in wide spaces, and a regular floss for cleaning
natural teeth, and under the gumline. Toothpaste,
fluoride or an antibacterial agent can be used on
the spongy floss section. |
|
| My
teeth have wide gaps between them; do I still have
to floss? |
| Even if you
have widely spaced teeth, plaque still forms between
them and below the gumline-areas your brush can't
reach. In addition to flossing, your dentist or
hygienist may also recommend using an interdental
toothbrush. This toothbrush has a very small tapered
or cylindrical head with fine bristles, ideal for
removing plaque between wider-spaced teeth. |
|
| Are
there other methods of cleaning in between? |
| In addition
to floss, there are other products designed for
cleaning between your teeth. Ask your dentist
or hygienist to help you determine which products
are best for you. Their recommendation will be
influenced by a number of factors: |
| |
 |
The
amount of space between each of your teeth |
|
The
presence of orthodontic braces or restorations,
like a bridge |
|
The
presence of implants or if you are recovering
from gum surgery |
|
The
relative ease with which you use dental floss |
|
| |
| Interdental
brushes |
| If you have
widely spaced teeth, braces, bridges, or implants,
you may benefit from an interdental toothbrush.
This toothbrush has a very small tapered or cylindrical
head with fine bristles. |
 |
| The Oral-B
interdental
brush kit comes with a handle and two disposable
brushheads - you just need to replace the brushhead
when the bristles show wear. Also available, for
patients with sensitivity, is the soft foam brushhead
that provides a very gentle interdental cleaning
sensation.
|
 |
And for cleaning
between your teeth when you are on the move, the
Oral-B compact interdental brush (with travel cap)
is an ideal size for your purse or pocket.
|
| |
| Interspace
brushheads (for power toothbrushes) |
| You can use
the Interspace
brushhead to clean between teeth. This brushhead
fits all Oral-B models. |
| |
| Irrigators |
 |
| These, like the Oral-B
OxyJet,
use a pressurized stream of water to help clean
around the gumline. The OxyJet also has adjustable
settings for use on sensitive areas and has a water
tower large enough to clean the whole mouth. As
an alternative to water, the OxyJet can also be
used with mouthrinse. |
|
| When
should children start flossing? |
| Consult your
dentist, but a good rule of thumb is when two teeth
touch. This usually happens first with the back
teeth. To begin with, you will have to floss their
teeth for them, but they will eventually need to
learn to do it for themselves.
Using a dental
flossette may help you and your child get
used to flossing. You should continue to supervise
flossing until your children are able to do a
thorough job on their own.
For more information on children's
oral care, refer to the section which is dedicated
to helping you care for your child's teeth and
gums. |
