Dental Flossing for a Healthy London Smile
Dental floss is a man-made fibre, usually nylon and comes on a spool. It is inexpensive, ready to use and always available in the market. Dental floss is used in cleaning the crevices between the teeth and below the gum line where bristles of ordinary toothbrush can’t reach. It mechanically removes the bacteria that build up on our teeth and gums. Brushing alone cannot remove these bacteria. If the bacteria are not removed, they turn into plaque. Afterwards, the plaque will then turn into a hard substance that is commonly known as tartar. This will lead to the growth of more dangerous types of bacteria that produce toxins which is harmful to our bodies. The toxins will irritate the gums and can lead to gingivitis or inflammation. It will then result to Periodontal Disease wherein the toxins harm the gums and the bones that support the teeth and lead to tooth loss.
Dental flossing can also eliminate bad breath. It prevents the bacteria from breaking down food particles left in the mouth and turning it into volatile sulphur compounds that cause bad breath.
When flossing, use about 18 inches of floss. Wind some of it around one of your middle finger and the rest around the other middle finger. Use the thumb and forefinger of each hand in grasping the floss and leave an inch of floss between the two hands. Insert the floss in-between teeth. When the floss reaches the gum flap, gently slide it into the space between the tooth and the gum. Scrape up and down along the side of the tooth. Repeat five to six times. Do the same on the adjacent tooth. Repeat the procedure on the rest of the teeth. Turn each middle finger to use a fresh section of the floss. Don’t forget to gargle with water after flossing.
Dental flossing is easy… Try to make it a habit for an odour free healthy smile!