What is dental floss for? Dental floss is an absolute necessity when brushing your teeth. Types of dental floss

FAQ

First of all, one that does not injure the gums during use. At the same time, the quality of hygiene oral cavity depends more on whether your teeth are brushed correctly than on the shape or type of toothbrush. Concerning electric brushes, then for uninformed people they are a more preferable option; although you can clean your teeth efficiently with a simple (manual) brush. In addition, a toothbrush alone is often not enough - floss (special dental floss) must be used to clean between the teeth.

Rinse aid is optional hygiene products, which effectively cleanse the entire oral cavity from harmful bacteria. All these products can be divided into two large groups – therapeutic and preventive and hygienic.

The latter include mouthwashes that eliminate unpleasant odors and promote fresh breath.

As for therapeutic and prophylactic ones, these include rinses that have anti-plaque/anti-inflammatory/anti-carious effects and help reduce the sensitivity of hard dental tissues. This is achieved due to the presence in the composition of various types of biologically active ingredients. Therefore, the rinse aid must be selected for each specific person individually, as well as toothpaste. And since the product is not washed off with water, it only consolidates the effect of the active ingredients of the paste.

This type of cleaning is completely safe for dental tissues and causes less damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The point is that in dental clinics ah, a special level of ultrasonic vibrations is selected, which affects the density of the stone, disrupts its structure and separates it from the enamel. In addition, in places where tissues are treated with an ultrasonic scaler (this is the name of the device for cleaning teeth), a special cavitation effect occurs (after all, oxygen molecules are released from water droplets, which enter the treatment area and cool the tip of the instrument). Cell membranes pathogenic microorganisms are torn apart by these molecules, causing the microbes to die.

It turns out that ultrasonic cleaning has a complex effect (provided that it is actually used quality equipment) both on the stone and on the microflora in general, cleaning it. But the same cannot be said about mechanical cleaning. Moreover, ultrasonic cleaning more pleasant for the patient and takes less time.

According to dentists, dental treatment should be carried out regardless of your situation. Moreover, a pregnant woman is recommended to visit the dentist every one to two months, because, as you know, when carrying a baby, the teeth are significantly weakened, suffer from a deficiency of phosphorus and calcium, and therefore the risk of developing caries or even tooth loss increases significantly. For the treatment of pregnant women it is necessary to use harmless means anesthesia. The most appropriate course of treatment should be selected exclusively by a qualified dentist, who will also prescribe the required medications that strengthen the tooth enamel.

It is quite difficult to treat wisdom teeth due to their anatomical structure. However, qualified specialists successfully treat them. Wisdom teeth prosthetics are recommended when one (or several) adjacent teeth are missing or need to be removed (if you also remove a wisdom tooth, there will simply be nothing to chew). In addition, removal of a wisdom tooth is undesirable if it is located on the jaw right place, has its own antagonist tooth and takes part in the chewing process. You should also take into account the fact that poor quality treatment can lead to the most serious complications.

Here, of course, a lot depends on a person’s taste. So, there are absolutely invisible systems attached to inside teeth (known as lingual), and there are also transparent ones. But the most popular are still metal braces systems having non-ferrous metal/elastic ligatures. It's really fashionable!

To begin with, it is simply unattractive. If this is not enough for you, we present the following argument - tartar and plaque on the teeth often provoke bad breath. Is this not enough for you? In this case, we move on: if tartar “grows”, this will inevitably lead to irritation and inflammation of the gums, that is, it will create favorable conditions for periodontitis (a disease in which periodontal pockets form, pus constantly flows out of them, and the teeth themselves become mobile ). And this is a direct path to loss healthy teeth. Moreover, the number of harmful bacteria increases, which causes increased dental caries.

The service life of a well-established implant will be tens of years. According to statistics, at least 90 percent of implants function perfectly 10 years after installation, while the service life is on average 40 years. Typically, this period will depend both on the design of the product and on how carefully the patient cares for it. That is why during cleaning mandatory you need to use an irrigator. In addition, it is necessary to visit the dentist at least once a year. All these measures will significantly reduce the risk of implant loss.

Removal of a dental cyst can be done therapeutically or surgical method. In the second case, we are talking about tooth extraction with further cleaning of the gums. In addition, there are those modern methods which allow you to save the tooth. This is, first of all, cystectomy - a rather complex operation that involves removing the cyst and the affected root tip. Another method is hemisection, in which the root and a fragment of the tooth above it are removed, after which it (the part) is restored with a crown.

As for therapeutic treatment, then it consists in cleaning out the cyst by root canal. This is also a difficult option, especially not always effective. Which method should you choose? This will be decided by the doctor together with the patient.

In the first case, they are used to change the color of teeth. professional systems, which are based on carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Obviously, it is better to give preference to professional whitening.

FAQ

First of all, one that does not injure the gums during use. At the same time, the quality of oral hygiene depends more on whether the teeth are brushed correctly than on the shape or type of toothbrush. As for electric brushes, for uninformed people they are a more preferable option; although you can clean your teeth efficiently with a simple (manual) brush. In addition, a toothbrush alone is often not enough - floss (special dental floss) must be used to clean between the teeth.

Mouthwashes are additional hygiene products that effectively cleanse the entire oral cavity of harmful bacteria. All these products can be divided into two large groups – therapeutic and preventive and hygienic.

The latter include mouthwashes that eliminate unpleasant odors and promote fresh breath.

As for therapeutic and prophylactic ones, these include rinses that have anti-plaque/anti-inflammatory/anti-carious effects and help reduce the sensitivity of hard dental tissues. This is achieved due to the presence of various biologically active components in the composition. Therefore, the mouthwash must be selected individually for each individual, as well as toothpaste. And since the product is not washed off with water, it only consolidates the effect of the active ingredients of the paste.

This type of cleaning is completely safe for dental tissues and causes less damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The fact is that in dental clinics a special level of ultrasonic vibrations is selected, which affects the density of the stone, disrupts its structure and separates it from the enamel. In addition, in places where tissues are treated with an ultrasonic scaler (this is the name of the device for cleaning teeth), a special cavitation effect occurs (after all, oxygen molecules are released from water droplets, which enter the treatment area and cool the tip of the instrument). The cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms are ruptured by these molecules, causing the microbes to die.

It turns out that ultrasonic cleaning has a comprehensive effect (provided that really high-quality equipment is used) both on the stone and on the microflora as a whole, cleansing it. But the same cannot be said about mechanical cleaning. Moreover, ultrasonic cleaning is more pleasant for the patient and takes less time.

According to dentists, dental treatment should be carried out regardless of your situation. Moreover, a pregnant woman is recommended to visit the dentist every one to two months, because, as you know, when carrying a baby, the teeth are significantly weakened, suffer from a deficiency of phosphorus and calcium, and therefore the risk of developing caries or even tooth loss increases significantly. To treat pregnant women, it is necessary to use harmless anesthesia. The most appropriate course of treatment should be selected exclusively by a qualified dentist, who will also prescribe the required medications that strengthen tooth enamel.

It is quite difficult to treat wisdom teeth due to their anatomical structure. However, qualified specialists successfully treat them. Wisdom teeth prosthetics are recommended when one (or several) adjacent teeth are missing or need to be removed (if you also remove a wisdom tooth, there will simply be nothing to chew). In addition, removal of a wisdom tooth is undesirable if it is located in the correct place in the jaw, has its own antagonist tooth and takes part in the chewing process. You should also take into account the fact that poor quality treatment can lead to the most serious complications.

Here, of course, a lot depends on a person’s taste. So, there are absolutely invisible systems attached to the inside of the teeth (known as lingual), and there are also transparent ones. But the most popular are still metal bracket systems with colored metal/elastic ligatures. It's really fashionable!

To begin with, it is simply unattractive. If this is not enough for you, we present the following argument - tartar and plaque on the teeth often provoke bad breath. Is this not enough for you? In this case, we move on: if tartar “grows”, this will inevitably lead to irritation and inflammation of the gums, that is, it will create favorable conditions for periodontitis (a disease in which periodontal pockets form, pus constantly flows out of them, and the teeth themselves become mobile ). And this is a direct path to the loss of healthy teeth. Moreover, the number of harmful bacteria increases, which causes increased dental caries.

The service life of a well-established implant will be tens of years. According to statistics, at least 90 percent of implants function perfectly 10 years after installation, while the service life is on average 40 years. Typically, this period will depend both on the design of the product and on how carefully the patient cares for it. That is why it is imperative to use an irrigator during cleaning. In addition, it is necessary to visit the dentist at least once a year. All these measures will significantly reduce the risk of implant loss.

Removal of a dental cyst can be done therapeutically or surgically. In the second case, we are talking about tooth extraction with further cleaning of the gums. In addition, there are modern methods that allow you to save the tooth. This is, first of all, cystectomy - a rather complex operation that involves removing the cyst and the affected root tip. Another method is hemisection, in which the root and a fragment of the tooth above it are removed, after which it (the part) is restored with a crown.

As for therapeutic treatment, it consists of cleaning out the cyst through a root canal. This is also a difficult option, especially not always effective. Which method should you choose? This will be decided by the doctor together with the patient.

In the first case, professional systems based on carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide are used to change the color of teeth. Obviously, it is better to give preference to professional whitening.

Dental floss helps maintain oral hygiene high level. The medical name for this accessory is floss. Since a brush is not always enough to remove food debris, floss is very convenient to have on hand. It allows you to thoroughly clean the interdental space and prevent the development of bacteria in the oral cavity.

Floss is a useful dental device available on the market in a wide range. Before choosing the most suitable type of this accessory, you need to understand why dental floss is needed.

Life rhythms sometimes make it impossible to take care of your teeth on time, for example, during a work environment during an afternoon break. Plaque on enamel is the result of a lack of proper hygiene after lunch, breakfast or dinner. It is often the cause of caries. Flossing will help reduce the risk of many dental diseases.

It is useful not only during the day after meals, but also in the evening before bed. To help prevent bacterial growth at night, you should always brush before flossing your teeth.

Flosses are divided into 2 types: natural and unnatural. The first ones are made from silk. Unnatural dental floss is made from nylon, acetate or nylon.

Anna Losyakova
Dentist-orthodontist
Before you choose dental floss, you should consult your dentist. Every person has different shapes jaws. This excludes the possibility of giving a definite answer to the question: which dental floss will be more effective to use. Only a specialist can individually select suitable dental accessories.
There are 3 types of dental floss based on their shape:
tape;
flat;
round.

Ribbon with handle Flat in box Round thread
The flat type is suitable for those who have narrow gaps between the teeth. Round ones are usually chosen for cleaning large interdental crevices. And it is better to use tape ones in following cases:
in the presence of large interdental spaces (trema);
if any cosmetic defects position of the incisors (diastema).

Trema Diastema
To make the floss glide better, it is impregnated with special wax.
Only the attending dentist can answer the question “which dental floss to choose.” Self-medication or the wrong choice of dental accessories can be unsafe for gum health.
How to use dental floss correctly

Before using it, you need to make sure there are no contraindications. These include:
Periodontal disease and bleeding gums. Frequent use floss leads to the appearance of wounds on the gums and the development of inflammation in the oral cavity.
Caries. The danger of flossing is due to the possibility of chipping pieces from the teeth.
Crowns or bridges. Orthodontic microprostheses involve the use of a superfloss dental accessory, which combines the functions various types this product.

The video simulates the process of cleaning implants using superfloss:
The benefits of threads with wax are obvious immediately after the first use. Waxed floss is convenient because it makes brushing your teeth easier. For optimal removal of food debris from the interdental space, you should choose a non-waxed floss. It is used to clean tooth enamel and remove plaque, as it is easily divided into fibers.
If the product is saturated with sodium fluoride, it not only provides excellent cleaning, but also provides protection against caries. These flosses strengthen tooth enamel in areas that are difficult to brush.
Dental floss with sodium fluoride
Options with menthol can make your breath fresh, and flosses with chlorhexidine can disinfect your gums and teeth.
Anna Losyakova
Dentist-orthodontist
When choosing, you need to take into account strength. The floss should not break when passed between the teeth. This can occur when there are chips or unevenness on the enamel surface.
For those who use floss, the doctor may prescribe independent use therapeutic and prophylactic agents. More complex accessories for cleaning interdental spaces are used only in dentists' offices under the supervision of a specialist.
Rules and techniques for using floss

Children should be taught to floss from the age of 9–10 years. You can introduce your baby to this device in more early age. To prevent him from damaging his gums, the child’s oral cleaning procedure should be carried out under parental supervision. It is necessary to warn the child not to exert excessive force, otherwise the gums will be injured.
Anna Losyakova
Dentist-orthodontist
During the cleaning process, the gums sometimes begin to bleed, in which case the procedure should be stopped immediately. To rinse your mouth if damaged, use saline solution in a warm form. Returning to flossing is possible only after the wound has completely healed.
To brush your teeth with floss, you will need to use the required amount of floss. It is incorrect to clean different interdental spaces with the same piece. You need to measure a piece 40–45 cm long so that it is enough to carefully work out each gap.
Proper technique involves four steps:
Wind the thread onto middle finger right hand 2 times.
Wrap it around your hand so that the segment in the center is 2.5–5 cm.
The procedure should begin with processing upper jaw: the thread is placed between her teeth and gently moved along the gums.
The floss should be applied to the enamel and passed from top to bottom. Then repeat the procedure with other teeth.

Using dental floss according to the instructions provided allows you to clean your mouth thoroughly and safely.
The video well simulates the process of how to properly brush your teeth with dental floss:
It will only be obvious when correct use. If your gums were accidentally injured during cleaning, you should visit a dentist. Otherwise, problems may arise associated with the formation of microcracks and the appearance of inflammatory processes.
Benefits and harms from use

The use of floss has many advantages: protecting the oral cavity from bacteria, removing stuck food debris between the teeth and along the gums where a toothbrush does not help. But there are also disadvantages: if the technique is incorrect, it can cause inflammatory process, gum bleeding may occur due to wounds, and the spread of infection can lead to tooth loss.
Aggressive brushing may cause bleeding gums
Anna Losyakova
Dentist-orthodontist
Dental clinic specialists do not always recommend using dental floss: flossing may not be useful for all patients. The appearance of blood when flossing can be explained by the development of periodontitis, which is dangerous disease, requiring timely treatment.
Knowing how to choose the right floss for brushing your teeth, you can avoid gum injuries and microscopic scratches in your teeth. soft tissues, which make the oral cavity vulnerable to inflammatory processes.
It is worth remembering that it is a secondary remedy and will not replace toothpaste with a toothbrush. A dazzling smile will be provided only after proper hygiene oral cavity.
Ask your dentist about how often you can floss. Experts say that in certain cases, flossing can destroy the structure of the teeth and harm the gums. Many people know that bad teeth have bad influence on the body as a whole. Before using dental floss, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages in detail.

Dental floss appeared back in 1815, it was invented by dentist Levi Farmley, who advised his patients to use silk floss to clean their teeth. Modern market offers a wide selection of floss: with and without impregnation, waxed and unwaxed, with menthol, antiseptics. What is dental floss, and what benefits or harm can you get from using it?

Advantages and disadvantages

Dental floss is a great addition to your toothbrush.

The use of dental floss has such advantages:

complete cleaning of interdental spaces, which cannot be done with a toothbrush,
floss is easy to use,
affordable price,
the ability to use floss in any place and conditions.

Flaws floss:

If you use dental floss incorrectly, you can damage the gum mucosa and cause infection,
Overuse of floss can damage the special interdental protective barriers.

Can dental floss cause harm? No, but provided that you use it correctly.

The whole truth about floss

There are many myths regarding the benefits of flossing. Let's figure out where the truth is and where the myth is:

Floss injures your gums.

Expert opinion. Dentist Voinitsky A.Yu.: “Yes, dental floss can injure the delicate mucous membrane of the gums and introduce infection there, in which case there will be no benefit, but you will do a lot of harm to your gums. But when correct use this risk is minimal. The gums can also be scratched by a toothbrush if not used carefully.”

Long-term use of floss leads to thinning of the enamel.

This is not true, since the material from which dental floss is made does not wear down the enamel.

Floss helps eliminate bad breath.

If it is caused by food debris that decomposes between the teeth, then with the help of floss you can get rid of them, and therefore of the unpleasant odor.

Floss can only be used once a day.

If you follow safety precautions, floss can be used more often, as needed.

What types of dental floss are there?

A wide selection of different types of dental floss makes it possible to choose the ideal option for yourself, based on your tastes and preferences. Types of floss:

Criterion	Kinds
Material for production	· Natural (silk). · Artificial (nylon, nylon, acetate).
Form	· Flat. · Tape (for cleaning trema and diastemas). · Round (for large interdental spaces).
Waxed and unwaxed	· Waxed is suitable for those who have just started using this device. The thread is impregnated with special wax, which allows it to glide and protects the mucous membrane from injury. · Unwaxed toothpaste is more effective in cleaning teeth from plaque; during the cleaning process, it is divided into fibers and cleans the entire surface of the tooth.
With and without impregnation	· With sodium fluoride they provide caries prevention. · With menthol they freshen breath. · With chlorhexidine they effectively destroy the infection.

Contraindications

Dental floss should not be used in the following cases:

(in this case, floss can cause injury to the mucous membrane and only worsen the situation).
Caries (if the carious process progresses in the teeth, the device can cause a piece of enamel to break off).
Crowns require the use of threads specially designed for these types of structures, which the dentist will recommend.

How to use it correctly?

For beginners, it is better to use waxed thread.

The flossing technique is as important as the choice of floss itself. For flossing to be beneficial and not harmful, follow these recommendations:

Wash your hands thoroughly before using floss,
don’t skimp – for effective cleaning you will need to use at least 40 cm of floss,
wind the thread around 2 fingers of your left and right hand, leave about 4 cm between them,
change the gap for each tooth, otherwise you will transfer plaque and infection from one tooth to the second,
you need to move the floss between the teeth extremely carefully, try not to touch the gums,
repeat all steps for each interdental space.

How to brush teeth with braces?

Many people think that floss and berekets are incompatible. And this is a big misconception, since teeth with braces require careful and regular care. you need to clean it like this:

Choose wax floss so that it doesn't get stuck in your braces.
For cleaning you need to take at least 25 cm of floss.
First, clean the area under the base of the braces, and then proceed to the interdental spaces.

Unpleasant odor after cleaning

It happens that people face unpleasant smell flossing after brushing your teeth. This is normal if you have just started using it. This means that a lot of plaque and bacteria have accumulated between the teeth, which cannot be cleaned with a regular brush. They cause bad odor.

The unpleasant odor will disappear gradually if floss is used correctly and regularly. If the situation does not change after about two weeks, you should consult a dentist.

Which model should you choose?

The most popular floss models:

Oral B

The latest models of dental floss from Oral B are a monostructure of 145 nylon microfibers united by a polymer shell. This floss does not break during the cleaning process. There are models with different impregnations.

Dontodent

This is a set for brushing your teeth, in which the floss is fixed on a special stick, which allows you to use it without wrapping it around your fingers.

Glister

Model with mint impregnation, not treated with wax.

Lacalut

Nylon model impregnated with mint flavored wax.

Dental floss, or floss, is a relatively new oral care product that has earned the love of dentists around the world. At the same time, ordinary people often question the advisability of using dental floss. Is floss really indispensable if we already brush our teeth every day with a toothbrush and toothpaste, and then use a mouthwash? It turns out that there really is a need, and you will see this by reading the material to the end, and also find out whether you can create floss according to the recipe at home.

Dental floss: what is it and what is it for?

Dental plaque coats teeth daily with food debris and creates a comfortable environment for the proliferation of bacteria that cause various dental diseases. Helps effectively clean the front and back surfaces Toothbrush, but the trouble is that its rather large bristles are not able to clean the interdental space. As a result, a breeding ground for bacteria can arise there, causing teeth to turn yellow and bad breath to appear.

There is a way out - to help will come dental floss, which can be used to quickly and efficiently clean hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity. In dentistry, it is called floss, and the cleaning process with its help is called flossing. The accessory is a device that looks similar to a regular thread, but is made from various durable materials. It is worth talking about the types in more detail.

Types of dental floss

Before you go to the store for your first thread, it will not hurt you to know that not all of them are the same, and it is not a fact that any one will suit you. It is best to visit the dentist before purchasing, at the same time you will learn everything about current state oral cavity, a specialist will give you qualified recommendations, and he will also teach you how to use dental floss.

Most manufacturers of oral hygiene products produce all the main varieties, so without preparation it will be easy to get confused (see also: what are the rules of oral hygiene?). You can see the types of floss in the photo. They vary depending on the purpose of the cross section and are:

flat – suitable for cleaning the proximal surface when between healthy teeth gaps of minimum width;
round – for wide interdental spaces;
tape - for even wider areas.

Flosses also differ in the composition of their impregnation:

waxed - impregnated with wax and other medicinal compounds for the prevention of bacterial damage to the oral cavity, most suitable for the narrowest places;
unwaxed - coarse, which due to this clean better;
impregnated with mint, propolis, fluoride and other medicinal preparations;
aromatic – for a more pleasant use: with the aroma of strawberry, mint, etc.

Flosses vary depending on the problems they are designed to solve, different types Suitable for people with healthy teeth, those who wear braces, have crowns and bridges, or suffer from gum problems:

universal floss for daily use - comes in a spool, the thread is thin, flat, suitable for processing after each meal;
superfloss – recommended for those who, in addition to their teeth, have some orthodontic devices: braces, bridges, dentures;
disposable floss-toothpicks - they look like a piece of thread stretched over a kind of plastic slingshot, useful for those who have to brush their teeth while traveling.

Contraindications for use

Despite the fact that dental floss is an excellent assistant in the matter of oral hygiene, its incorrect and thoughtless use can cause considerable harm to your teeth.

There are a number of dental ailments for which the use of floss is strictly contraindicated:

Caries. When cleaning the interdental space with dental floss in places where there are cavities, there is a danger that a piece of the tooth may break off. If left unattended, it will continue to deteriorate due to daily friction from the floss.
If you have crowns and bridges in your mouth, dentists recommend choosing a thread more carefully. Give preference to threads specially made for people with artificial teeth– superfloss – an invention that combines several types of threads for different types teeth.
Bleeding gums. Floss can injure weakened gums and introduce infection into open wounds, resulting in an inflammatory process that will require specialist intervention.

The benefits and harms of using hygiene products

Floss as a hygiene product has a lot of advantages: it is good as a tool for cleaning teeth in hard to reach places, where the toothbrush does not penetrate, protects the oral cavity from the action of harmful bacteria, is affordable and suitable for children and adults. It is impossible not to mention the disadvantages:

Can children use dental floss?

Parents often wonder if their children can floss. The answer is definitely “yes”, since children’s teeth need high-quality oral hygiene just as much as adults.

Children 7-8 years old can already be trusted to use dental floss independently, but under the supervision of their parents. With their help, you can entrust the procedure to a child much earlier. Parents should explain why dental floss is needed, why its use is so important for proper cleaning, and most importantly, talk about safety precautions.

It should be remembered that children's teeth and gums are more vulnerable, so floss must be used with great care.

It is important to be especially careful when children are changing their baby teeth to permanent ones, as the floss can get into the gap between the base of the tooth and the gum. It is best to stop flossing altogether at this time.

Dental floss technique

Anyone who has flossed before will confirm that you don't need any special skills to do it. However, dexterity will not hurt, so if you have never brushed your teeth with this device before, you will need a small instruction on how to brush your teeth with dental floss:

How often should you floss your teeth?

Those who have never used dental floss before doubt whether it is advisable to use it daily. This question definitely needs to be answered in the affirmative.

Ideally, you should floss after every meal, but if you don’t have such an opportunity during the day and you are always short of time, then you need to thoroughly clean your teeth before going to bed. The complete cleansing procedure should consist of several stages: first you need to brush your teeth, then floss in places inaccessible to the brush and finish the process by rinsing with a special herbal balm to disinfect the oral cavity.

Is it possible to make dental floss at home?

Beginning floss users are perplexed as to why spend money on a special thread, and think that it can be replaced with regular silk thread for sewing - the effect will be the same. Or they are looking for a recipe on how to make the device themselves at home. Dentists do not think that this is correct; attempts to replace it can result in injury to the oral cavity, infection injured areas and a forced visit to the doctor's office.

It is enough to carefully examine dental floss to understand that it is almost impossible to find analogues to it in everyday life. The main argument in its favor is that its cost is low to risk dental health and look for unequal substitutes.