Cleaning between teeth using an interdental cleaner like a floss is oral care regime suggested by experts. Dentists suggest flossing the teeth to be an important oral hygiene practice. They recommend it daily. Flossing helps in preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities. Interdental cleaning help in the removal of the sticky plaque that contains bacteria. Such bacteria feed on the food in the mouth. It leads to the formation of acid causing cavities. If plaque is not removed properly for long, it hardens and eventually forms calculus or tartar. Tartar accumulates around the gum line leading to gum disease. Since it is hard, its removal requires expert intervention. It is a common flossing mistake that most of the people have no idea that daily flossing is recommended by dentists.
Flossing should be done only on one side of the tooth.
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While flossing, it is important to pay attention to the technique widely recommended by the experts. Flossing should be done between each tooth. It is because bacteria and plaque are trapped in the interstitial spaces. Both sides of the tooth must be scraped while flossing to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned by removing the plaque off. Also, the last tooth should be flossed on all sides.
Which of these statements regarding flossing is true?
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Putting pressure on gums while flossing might cause them to bleed and pain. If it is done regularly, it might leave the gum tissue and damage it over time. Similarly, rushed flossing might irritate and scrape the gums. Flossing vigorously, using aggressive motions with the floss pulled tightly might also pain and damage the gums.
Flossing is not the sole dental cleanser.
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Flossing is not the sole dental cleanser. It is an important oral hygiene practice, but it itself alone is not sufficient for complete oral care. Brushing the teeth twice daily for two minutes each time is equally important. Using mouthwash for rinsing ensures prevention form bacteria. Seeing the dentist at least twice a year to ensure thorough cleaning professionally does wonders in maintaining good oral hygiene.
Why should floss not be reused?
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Floss is supposed to be discarded after finishing flossing. It should not be saved for later use. One reason is because of its frayed texture, it would no more be significantly effective. Another important reason is that a used floss is full of the previously extracted bacteria and plaque. Instead of their removal from the mouth, reuse of floss would provide them another dwelling within the same habitat. They would just move around.
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