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The whole tooth and nothing but the tooth
Brushing and flossing your teeth are the very best ways to preserve the health and longevity of your choppers. You can get a plain, old, drugstore toothbrush for 29 cents or an ultra high-tech one for $300. As for floss, there's simple string (waxed and unwaxed) as well as ultramodern strips of space-age, oral-hygiene management media, woven to capture food bits and distribute fluoride as you floss. Choose your weapons and fight decay. Mere minutes a day could mean corn-on-the-cob well into your ninth decade.
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Something to Smile About
- A favorite witticism among dentists: Only floss the teeth you want to keep.
- Less than 20% of Americans floss daily.
- Scientifically speaking, brushing and flossing mechanically remove bacteria buildup from the teeth and gums.
- If you haven't flossed in a while, your gums may bleed when you do. This means your gums are inflamed and bacteria is present. Be happy, it means you've cleaned out the built-up stuff and taken the first step toward strengthening your gums. After a time or two, the bleeding will quit.
- Water Piks and toothpicks are not a substitute for floss.
- Floss is as important as a toothbrush in fighting tooth decay.
- Experts advise flossing twice a day for two or three minutes each.
- Floss holders are a fine solution for those with manual dexterity problems.
- There are many different kinds of floss: waxed, unwaxed, flavored, unflavored, wide, regular, string, and tape. Each kind is beneficial:
- Tape is best for people with a lot of bridgework.
- Waxed products are sometimes easier to use and break less.
- Shred-resistant floss made from Gore-Tex or Teflon is good for people with braces.
- Floss made with PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene) helps it slide between tight teeth and dental work.
- Nylon floss resists breaking.
- Floss with a web construction actually expands to collect mouth debris then contracts on removal to take the stuff along.
- Some floss is coated with fluoride.
- Floss comes in a variety of flavors, including mint and cinnamon.
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Appropriate Uses
Floss
Removes plaque and bacteria buildup from between teeth and massages gums. When used regularly, reduces the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and tartar buildup.
Floss holder
Keeps floss taut for those who have problems flossing.
Oral irrigator
Uses a high-pressure stream of water to remove food and debris from between teeth.
Common Misconceptions
Oral irrigator
Should not be used as a replacement for brushing and flossing teeth regularly.
C'mon! Let's Floss
- Floss every day using a regular pattern so you don't miss any teeth.
- Children can start flossing at age 8.
- Floss holders are helpful for children or people who have trouble with manual dexterity.
Flossing Technique
- Use about 18 inches of floss.
- Wind each end around the middle finger of each hand.
- Hold a short section tightly between the thumb and first finger of each hand.
- Guide the floss gently between two teeth and draw it up and down against each tooth in a scraping motion.
- Gently slide it down under the gum line and scrape up and away from the gum.
- Repeat for every tooth, unwinding the floss from the spool finger onto the receiving finger after each tooth.
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Get in the Habit
- Consult a dentist for the best flossing technique.
- Your gums may bleed a little the first few times you floss. But they'll toughen up quickly.
Don't Panic, It's Normal
The following may result when you first start flossing:- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- White buildup on floss
Beware of Gingivitis
- Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease and is fully treatable. Be on the watch for it.
- It is caused by excessive plaque buildup and bacterial growth.
- Signs of gingivitis include red, inflamed gums; bleeding gums upon brushing or flossing; slightly receding gums; and possible pocket formation between gums and teeth. Usually no pain is involved.
- See your dentist immediately if you have any of these symptoms for more than a week. They could be signs of gingivitis.
- If gingivitis goes untreated, it may lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Covington, TR; RR Berardi, LL Young, SC Kendall, MJ Hickey.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington DC, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Schaaf, RV.Tip-Top Tooth Care: The No-Excuse Guide to a Regimen You Can Live With. Prevention, Vol. 46, 5/1/94. Prevention, Vol. 46, 5/1/94.
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