Flosses and Waterpicks

Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing germs that accumulates on the teeth, including places where toothbruses can't reach.  This can lead to gum disease.  The best way to get rid of plaque is to brush and floss your teeth carefully everyday.  The toothbrush cleans the tops and sides of you teeth.  Dental floss cleans between them.  Some people use waterpicks, but floss is the best choice.

Should I use floss?   Yes.  Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, poloshes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath.  Floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush.  Many people just don't spend enough time flossing or brushing and many h never been taught to floss or brush properly.  When you visit Dr. Chang please feel free to ask him or a teamate the proper way to floss.   Why should I floss? Flossing is the most important step in oral care that people forget to do or claim they don't have time for.  By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping you teeth a lifetime and decrease your chances of having periodontal or gum disease.  Flossing cleans away the plaque from between your teeth, decreases the chance of interproximal decay and increases blood circulation in the gums.   Which type of floss should I use? Dental floss comes in many form: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular.  Wide floss, or dental tape, may be helpful for people with a lot of bridgework.  Tapes are usually recommended when the spaces between the teeth are wide.  They all clean and remove plaque about the same.  Waxed floss might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations.  However, the waxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean.  Bonded unwaxed floss does not fray as easily as regular unwaxed floss, but does tear more than waxed floss.

How should I floss? There are two flossing methods: the spool method and the loop method.  The spoll method is suited for those with manual dexterity.  Take an 18-inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly around the middle finger. (Don't cut off your finger's circulation!) Wind the rest of the floss around the same finger of the opposite hand.  This finger takes up the floss as it becomes soiled or frayed.  Maneuver the floss between teeth with your index finger and thumbs.  Don;t pull it down hard against your gums or you will hurt them.  Don't rub it side to side as if you were shining shoes.  Bring the floss up and down several times forminga "C" shape around the tooth being sure to go below the gum line.  The loop method is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands, poor muscular coordination or arthritis.  Take an 18-inch piece of floss and make it into a circle.  Tie it securly with three knots.  Place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop.  Use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, going below the gumline forming a "C" on the side of the tooth.   How often should I floss? At least once a day.  T give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes.   What are floss holders? You may prefer a prethreaded flosser or floss holder, which often looks like a little hacksaw.  Flossers are handy for people with limited dexterity, for those who are just beginning to floss, or for caretakers who are flossing someone else's teeth.   Do I need a waterpick (irrigating device)? Don't use waterpicks as asubstitute for toothbrushing and flossing.  But they are effective around orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach.  However, they do not remove plaque.  Waterpicks are frequently recommended for persons with gum disease.

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