Carstensendental.com
Blog Of The Month
Topic of the Month: Flossing
Interdental brushes work best for periodontal disease and braces. This brush can easily reach inside the spaces between teeth to remove debris.This brush will remove food that gets stuck between the brackets of braces. It is very beneficial for patients who struggle to brush their teeth with braces. NOTE: this should not be a sole form of flossing, it should be used as a secondary technique in addition to regular flossing.
A floss picker is normal floss on a handle. Floss Pickers work well for generally healthy mouths with healthy bone levels. They can help reach farther back in the mouth or crowded areas.These are handy because they can be taken on-the-go. Bio-degradable or reusable options available.
F
L
O
S
S
I
N
G
Why Brushing Alone Is Not Enough
Floss threaders are for patients with orthodontics and bridges. The plastic is thread between the teeth to make for easy glide for the floss between the teeth.
Waterpiks are great to use on any mouth! We suggest this to most of our patient’s because of how well this product works. If used properly, the water pressure is flushing out underneath the gums and between the teeth giving you a better clean at home. This can help keep tartar levels down and can blast food out of hard to reach places.
Research shows, only 30% of people floss during their home care routine. Seeing this number can be very worrisome for dental professionals. It has been proven that without flossing, you are only brushing 70% of your teeth. That means food, bacteria and debris can get lodged in the spaces between the teeth. This food and bacteria can cause decay, bone loss and bad breath. As food breaks down, it is secreting acid. That acid is then exposed to the surface of the teeth creating a pH change in the mouth. A change in pH changes the integrity of the tooth causing for demineralization, aka the beginning stage of forming a cavity. You may be saying, “well I would like to floss, it is just hard to fit my hands in my mouth,”. Good news! There are other options for flossing outside of regular dental floss. Below you will find photos and descriptions of how to use each of these dental aids. Did you know, your gums should not bleed after flossing? The bleeding that occurs from flossing is actually the bacteria and debris causing gum irritation. If this happens to you, there is no need to freak out right away. Continue flossing twice a day for two weeks straight and watch the change in your gums! The swelling should go down and the bleeding decreased.