Mistakes when cleaning teeth with dental floss

This is an automatically translated article.

Flossing is a tool to help clean teeth, remove food residues in the teeth even the smallest as well as avoid hurting gums. However, if not used correctly, it will easily lead to mistakes that affect a lot of oral health because of dental damage.

1. What is dental floss?

Dental floss is a specially designed, thin, soft, elastic string that can easily get into even the smallest nooks and crannies, effectively removing plaque on the teeth. teeth and food residues in between teeth.
Dental floss is usually made of nylon or plastic. On the silk fiber contains antibiotics, inhibiting the fermentation at the teeth when food comes in contact with saliva and many other substances...
Current dental floss based on ingredients is divided into 2 types:
1.1 Multi-filament nylon dental floss Made from many fine nylon fibers, waxed or not, with a light cool scent, quite thin, elastic, soft. However, the disadvantage of this type of floss is that it is easy to get thrush and tear the small threads when done.
1.2 Single strand dental floss (PTFE) Made from 1 strand of PTFE plastic, quite thin, quite smooth, small in diameter, easy to slide through the teeth, even in narrow spaces, not easy to get thrush when used. The price is higher than multifilament nylon dental floss
Currently, dental floss products sold on the market have 2 popular forms:
Roll form in a small box, users can cut it to length suitable. A toothpick with a short thread is fixed on a small C-shaped bow.

2. The effect of dental floss

Dental floss is considered an effective tooth cleaning tool. Not only helps to remove plaque, using dental floss also limits calcification on teeth and prevents many common dental problems. This is a safe item with a much higher use than a bamboo toothpick.
2.1 Helps freshen breath Using a toothbrush alone will not be able to remove food particles and plaque between the teeth. If you leave the food stuck in between your teeth for a long time, it will produce odor-causing bacteria that cause bad breath. So, flossing every day will help remove all the food particles.
2.2 Whiter smile Plaque in between teeth is one of the causes of yellow teeth. While regular brushing can also keep teeth white, flossing is also a better cleaning tool – removing all that's left on the teeth. When done regularly, the jaw will be much whiter.
2.3 Minimize damage to gums In addition, flossing will not open the gap between the teeth like using toothpicks.

3. Mistakes when cleaning teeth with dental floss

There are many people who do not really understand the use and use of dental floss, making flossing the wrong way. Among them are:
3.1 Flossing sparingly The biggest mistake when flossing is to only take out a short piece and then use this thread to "clean" slowly one by one. A few times of use is okay, but if this habit is used for a long time, there will be dental diseases because the repeated use of the thread does not clean the teeth and spreads the disease from one tooth to another.
3.2 Using strong hands Due to not having a habit of using floss, the intensity of pressing down on the gums is often too much, it will cause gingivitis, bleeding, ...
3.3 The thread is hard and big compared to the teeth There are many types of floss on the market. department. There are soft and smooth types, but there are also large, hard fibers, when used, you will hear the sound of the thread rubbing on the teeth. Using this type of thread is as harmful as using a toothpick, because it also damages tooth enamel and gums.
3.4 Not for children Many people think that flossing is only for adults, and children are not necessary. The reality is not so, teaching children from five to six years old to know how to clean their teeth with dental floss is good for them. This habit will help your baby have strong and beautiful teeth later on.

Flossing, like all other tools, is only effective when used correctly. Therefore, you should pay attention to using dental floss to keep your teeth clean as well as avoid making mistakes when cleaning your teeth with dental floss.
Department of Dentistry - Maxillofacial - Facial at Vinmec International General Hospital is a specialty in charge of intensive and aesthetic pathological treatment on the entire tooth structure (teeth, bone, pulp,...), jaw (palatine, jawline, jaw joint,...) and face (forehead bone, cheekbone, temporal bone,...). In addition, it also serves groups of patient needs such as: Restorative dentistry, maxillofacial trauma, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and endodontics.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests and treat diseases here can be completely assured of the accuracy and high efficiency in the treatment process.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

SEE MORE
Notes on oral hygiene for preschool children Does tartar affect teeth? What are the effects of early teething? How to take care?