What is dental floss?
Dental floss is an irreplaceable dental unit for impeccable home dental hygiene.
Traditional dental floss looks like a very thin plastic, nylon or silk ribbon: gently inserted between two teeth and scraped with moderate pressure along the sides and near the gum line, the dental floss removes plaque and fibrous food residues therein . Although its extraordinary "cleaning" effect is known, unfortunately the dental floss does not seem to fit fully into the habits of Italians.
The use of dental floss is extremely simple, much more than one might believe: just a few attempts are enough to acquire the skill necessary to handle it adequately and flawlessly.
The main purpose of this article is to describe the main features of dental floss and, above all, educate the reader on the correct technique of use. We remember, in fact, that the regular and adequate use of dental floss minimizes the risk of caries, gingivitis and dental infections of all kinds.
Dental floss and toothbrush
Although it cannot be replaced, dental floss effectively supports the cleaning action of the toothbrush, whether this is manual or electric. Brushing alone, even if performed with extreme skill and with appropriate techniques, is in fact not sufficient to totally remove that milky patina that sticks to the surface of the teeth and lurks in the interdental spaces. Unlike the traditional toothbrush, dental floss is able to reach areas that could not be adequately cleaned by brushing.
Did you know that ...
As we have seen, the toothbrush alone is not able to eliminate all the bacterial plaque and the micro-fragments of food trapped between the teeth.
In fact, each dental element has five faces, of which only three are easily reachable by the toothbrush:
- Buccal surface: outer layer of the teeth, facing the cheek
- Masticatory surface (or palatal)
- Inner surface: the part of the teeth in contact with the tongue
- Interproximal surface: the very small space between tooth and tooth
- Gingival sulcus: the fissure between tooth and gum
As mentioned, during a correct cleaning of the oral cavity, the toothbrush is able to effectively reach and clean only three of these dental faces, namely the buccal, masticatory and internal faces. If you do not intervene with specific aids different from the toothbrush - such as the dental floss - the interproximal surface of the teeth and the gingival sulcus will remain uncovered, therefore exposed to the risk of dental infections.
Floss fibers
If, in ancient times, dental floss was made up of a weave of very fine silk fibers, today nylon represents its modern substitute. This material, in fact, is much more resistant to abrasion and more elastic than silk. As an alternative to nylon, the latest generation of dental floss consists of completely biodegradable materials.
The hundreds of extra-thin fibers that form the dental floss are firmly joined together through a very resistant weave. After entering the interdental spaces, these fibers open like a ribbon, exerting their own "cutting" action and removing plaque.
Waxed and non-waxed dental floss
There are essentially two different types of dental floss available on the market:
- Waxed dental floss: the fibers that compose it are coated with a thin layer of wax, a useful material to provide durability and resistance to the thread during application. The waxed interdental cord is indicated for those people who present tartar deposits or dental irregularities (eg crowding of the teeth or crooked teeth). Wire breakage during application is a rather rare event.
- Unwaxed dental floss: it is particularly suitable for removing plaque and food fragments from very narrow interdental spaces. Unwaxed dental floss provides a wider abrasion surface.
In addition to wax coating, a dental floss can be flavored or not. Some types are enriched with fluorine, while others are mentholated to give an additional feeling of freshness and cleanliness to the teeth.
Why use it?
As mentioned, dental floss does not seem to be much appreciated by Italians: its use, in fact, is wrongly underestimated because it is considered a superfluous practice for dental hygiene. Many people are convinced that the meticulous use of toothbrush and toothpaste is sufficient to protect the health of teeth from caries and other dental insults. In reality, it is not enough to simply brush your teeth without using dental floss: the bacteria, nesting silently between tooth and tooth, can progressively destroy the enamel, until they create tooth decay.
Let's see, therefore, why it is advantageous to use dental floss:
- Removes plaque deposits wedged between tooth and tooth, in areas generally inaccessible to the toothbrush
- Prevents or hinders the formation of calculus concretions, which are impossible to remove through home dental hygiene. Let us briefly recall that tartar can be eliminated exclusively by scaling, or professional dental hygiene
- The frayed or broken dental floss can indicate the presence of scale deposits
- In the absence of underlying diseases, if the gums bleed after flossing means that you are not using it properly
- Some types of dental floss are made specifically to remove plaque in patients with orthodontic appliances, bridges or capsules
- Proper and regular use of dental floss prevents halitosis, tooth decay and other dental infections
