Dental floss is a dental cleaning tool designed to remove plaque, food particles, and debris between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Regular use of dental floss can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
When talking about cleaning teeth, tongue and various parts of the mouth. Many people probably think of brushing their teeth first. Later they start to think of mouthwash. But few people think of dental floss because they understand that dental floss is only used. When there is food stuck in the ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app teeth or as a substitute for toothpicks to prevent teeth from being separated. In fact, there are many other reasons why we would like to recommend dental floss as a tooth cleaning tool.
What is dental floss?
Dental floss is a dental innovation that is produced to help remove food particles or bacterial plaque stuck between the teeth. It is highly effective in removing food particles in specific areas. In the past, dental floss was produced from silk fibers twisted together into long strands and coated with wax. However, after World War II, the material was changed to nylon, making it more convenient to use. Currently, dental floss is divided into 2 types based on the materials used: nylon fibers and single-fiber plastic. Which were invented to reduce costs and increase toughness, light weight, and not easily broken. There are also types coated with wax or with added scents.
5 reasons why you should use dental floss
- Dental floss can remove more food particles stuck to your teeth than brushing your teeth.
If we know which teeth have food particles stuck. Instead of using a toothbrush to repeatedly brush that area until the food particles come out (or may only come out partially) or using a toothpick to poke the gaps between the teeth, switching to dental floss will allow us to remove food particles quickly and conveniently, directly, reducing the pain from using a toothpick and not risking gaps between teeth, which could be a point. Where more food particles get stuck between the teeth in the future.
2.Reduce bad breath problems from the root cause
Many times, our bad breath does not come from our teeth or tongue. But from food particles stuck in the gaps between our teeth that we may not notice or not be aware of. Therefore, using dental floss after eating or brushing our teeth will help remove more food particles from the gaps between our teeth. Thus reducing the risk of bad breath.
- Prevent gum and tooth diseases
Deep cleaning of the gums and teeth with dental floss reduces the risk of tooth decay, loose teeth, periodontal disease, swollen gums, receding gums, gingivitis, and other diseases related to the gums and teeth. Because good cleaning reduces the risk of diseases caused by the accumulation of food particles and bacteria. It also reduces the risk of tartar formation, which is the cause of tooth loss, unpleasant breath, and leads to wearing dentures in the future.
4.Healthier , stronger, longer life
Thomas Perls of Boston University, the creator of the Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator, or a tool to calculate “average life expectancy” from various factors in life, stated that flossing helps our overall health and helps extend our lifespan. Because flossing helps strengthen our gums and teeth.
Which is one of the factors that makes our overall quality of life possible. Eat a healthy diet. In addition, Dr. Roizen, the author of the book Real Age, also stated that people who regularly floss. After eating and do not smoke will live 5 years longer.
- No need to spend a lot of money on dentists.
In case you don’t know, if you have a problem with your teeth. Whether it’s cavities, fillings, root canal repairs, or dental implants, these services are not cheap. *In the long run, you may end up spending tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of baht on just one tooth. If you have a problem with multiple teeth. You have to think even harder. Because social security or company insurance alone cannot cover these expenses. Therefore, if you floss regularly to keep your teeth clean. You will definitely reduce the risk of having to pay a large sum of money to a hospital or dental clinic.
How to choose the right dental floss
Waxed and unwaxed floss are similarly effective at removing food particles. But waxed floss may be easier to reach between teeth and glide more smoothly, and unwaxed floss may have a sharper surface. Which helps remove new plaque a little more easily.
Choosing dental floss that is effective in removing food debris and is most convenient is to choose dental floss that is thin, flat, and spreads out when passing between teeth. It is strong and does not break easily, and the floss is not too sharp to cause wounds to the gums. However, it also depends on the method of use that we use correctly or not.
How to use dental floss correctly
Pull the floss out and wrap it around the tips of your middle fingers on both hands tightly enough. That it won’t come loose easily (don’t pull the floss out too short or wrap it around your fingers too little). Leave about 2-3 centimeters of floss between your fingers.
Gently insert or push the floss into the gaps between your teeth. Using your middle finger, index finger, and thumb to help guide the direction of the floss. You can choose any tooth first (but it is recommended to choose the deepest molar first). Then, move the floss up and down, and sometimes make a C shape when it is close to the gums. However, do not press the floss against the gums too hard, as this may cause injury or bleeding. (The first few times you use floss, you may bleed a little. Don’t be alarmed. If you floss regularly, it will help strengthen your gums enough to prevent bleeding.)
Floss all teeth before or after brushing. You can start from the innermost right tooth to the left, from the upper tooth to the lower tooth.
Used dental floss should be discarded immediately. Do not reuse it as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Rinse your mouth with clean water after flossing.
Use dental floss regularly until it becomes a habit for better dental and gum health. If you floss and your gums hurt or bleed every time and it doesn’t go away, you should consult a dentist.
Even if you take good care of your dental health, don’t forget to visit your dentist every 3-6 months for a thorough dental checkup before you lose your teeth forever. Consult a dentist at a dental center in a hospital or get a free dental checkup at a dental clinic nationwide.