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The most significant impediment
to flossing has typically been the floss. It breaks, shreds,
and gets stuck. Other than Wild Flossers (see
below), Glide is the only floss I recommend.
How often to floss? We all
heard to floss once a day, but the bacteria are growing between
teeth just like those areas you brush - would you brush only once
a day? Ideally, flossing is most effective when done at the
same frequency as brushing. So, if you brush, floss too!
At the very minimum, floss the lower front teeth every brushing
(this is where tartar typically forms most).
| These are
the same directions that are on floss packaging, which
unfortunately is discarded. |
- Break off about 18 inches of
floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers.
- Wind the remaining floss
around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will
take up the floss as it collects plaque or shreds.
- Hold the floss tightly between
your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your
teeth using a gentle back and forth rubbing motion. Never snap
the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the
gumline, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently
slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against
the tooth. Gently move the floss away from the gum with up and
down motions to clean above and below the gumline.
- Repeat this method on the rest
of your teeth. Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.
People who have difficulty
handling dental floss may prefer to use aids that include
floss holders, special brushes, picks or sticks.
Additionally, a Waterpik
can be very helpful. It does not replace flossing, but
it is much better than not flossing. For many people,
both flossing and a Waterpik are indicated.
 Wild
Flossers
If adults had picked up
the flossing habit in childhood, perhaps more people
would be following their dentists' and hygienists'
recommendation. These dinosaur shaped dental
flossers are designed to encourage kids to develop early
flossing habits. They are fun, easy to use and
oversized to minimize the risk of accidental choking.
Though disposable, the product is very thin to minimize
the amount of plastic used.
In addition to making flossing
easier for children 6 and up, Wild Flossers make
flossing easier to do for younger children. Kids
teeth and gums benefit from flossing just as much as
adults.
Cheaper imitations
exist (cheap floss that shreds and breaks easily), and
are not nearly as easy to use. As with most tools,
when they are more difficult to use, they go unused.
These
are great for adults too!
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