Dental floss
Why are my teeth so important?
Dental floss |
Their teeth have different sizes and shapes depending on where they are located in the dentition. These differences allow the teeth to perform different tasks. Teeth help us chew and grind food. They also help us to speak and correctly emphasize different tones. As another important point, teeth determine the shape of the face. A healthy smile can be a great tool and that's why it's so important to give your teeth the best possible care.
How do I clean the interdental spaces?
One method to care for the interdental spaces is with dental floss. Flossing removes plaque and food residues between the teeth and under the gum line, i.e. areas that the toothbrush does not reach. Your dentist or prophylaxis assistant can show you the correct application.
The following suggestions might be helpful:
- Take about 40 cm of floss and wrap it around the middle finger Now wrap the remaining floss around the middle finger of the other. When using the silk, this finger absorbs the used silk.
- Hold the silk firmly between thumb and index finger with about 3 cm of silk in between under tension. With a gentle back and forth movement, let the silk slide along the teeth. Do not pull the silk between your teeth by force.
- When the silk reaches the gum line, bend it into a C shape until a slight resistance is felt.
- Press the silk against the tooth. Gently move the silk against the tooth surface and away from the gums.
- Repeat this on the other side of the tooth
- Do not forget the back of the last tooth.
- If you floss you follow a regular pattern. Start at the top and work your way from left to right, then move to the bottom row of teeth and move from left to right as well. So they will probably not miss any teeth.
It is equally important to clean the edges of crowns, bridges or other dentures. With conventional floss this may not be very effective, but there are special dental floss for it. Ask your dentist or prophylaxis assistant which one you should use.
Can teeth bleed when flossing?
Your gums may be prone to bleeding for the first 5 to 6 days, but if the plaque has been removed, it will be heard again. If the bleeding persists then you should consult the dentist. The floss may be applied incorrectly. The teeth may also need to undergo professional tooth cleaning.
What can I do if flossing causes problems?
There are also dental floss holders or certain aids for flossing. These cleaning aids can also be medical toothpicks or small brushes for the removal of plaque in the dental spaces. Your dentist or prophylaxis assistant will be happy to explain the application to you.