Is Using Dental Floss Really That Important For Our Epsom Patients?
With only one in five of us flossing on a daily basis, are there good reasons why more of us should be doing it?
Flossing between the teeth is not new. Archeologists have found evidence of this from prehistoric times with sticks and even horse hair used to remove food that had become trapped between the teeth. Dental floss as we now know it was first introduced in the early 1800s, sometimes in the form of silk thread. These days it is made from artificial materials and we now understand that it is not only food that it helps to remove but plaque as well.
The fact is though, that around 80% of the population of the UK don’t floss between their teeth. As we will see shortly, this is a mistake if you want to look after your teeth and gums.
Why floss at all?
You might think that you brush your teeth really well, and it is quite possible that you do. In reality though, toothbrush bristles can’t reach all areas of the teeth. Indeed, it has been claimed that they only clean around 60%. The majority of the rest of the teeth would certainly benefit from using dental floss to reach those otherwise unreachable areas. By flossing between the teeth, you will help to remove trapped food and bacteria and also help to clean around the gum line too.
How beneficial is this?
As brushing our teeth only reaches just over half of the overall surface of the tooth, then this means that there is scope for quite a bit of food and bacteria to become lodged in the other areas. If we do nothing about this, then problems are almost certain to occur.
The two main issues which may arise from this are tooth decay and gum disease. Especially in the front teeth which have smoother surfaces, the most likely place for decay to start is in the gaps between the teeth. This is largely caused by the bacteria feeding on the trapped food particles and producing acids as a by-product of this. This then attacks the tooth enamel and once this has been compromised, the bacteria enter the inner part of the tooth and the decaying process starts.
Flossing is also very effective in removing food and bacteria from around the gum line. Without this, gum disease is likely. As patients of the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre will know from previous blogs, this can cause a range of symptoms including bleeding and sore gums, bad breath/halitosis and even the loss of teeth.
Are there alternatives available?
A common complaint that we sometimes hear is that flossing is difficult and too fiddly. This seems to deter some people who give up altogether, even if they start with the best of intentions. The reality is that some people do find it a little tricky at first, but it is the same as when we start to walk. With a little practice, most people find that they can floss with relative ease. There may be some people with mobility issues or painful conditions such as arthritis who may find this more difficult though and alternatives are available.
Interdental brushes – These are small brushes that are designed to get into the spaces that regular toothbrushes can’t. They tend to work better where there are wider gaps though and food may still become trapped in tighter spaces.
Floss picks – These are short handled items with a piece of floss between them. These are readily available in chemists and supermarkets. They can be effective for some situations but lack some of the flexibility of regular floss.
Water/air flossers – These work by blasting fine jets of water or air between the teeth. This can be effective and may be especially useful for people with mobility issues. They are generally not considered to be as effective as floss though, and, in the case of water flossers, can also be a bit messy if your aim is not perfect.
Generally speaking, the above options are not as good as using floss and we would encourage patients of the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre to persevere with the use of floss. If you still find this difficult to use, our dental hygienist will be happy to offer advice.
Start young
Some patients have asked us about whether children should also floss between their teeth. The answer is yes. Any food or bacteria that becomes trapped is likely to lead to problems if it is not addressed. With children though, this is easier said than done. It is very difficult for you to floss someone else’s teeth at the best of times, but especially those of a reluctant child. Only you will be able to know when the time’s right to start to encourage them to use it, but when they do, it is likely to become a habit that stays with them throughout their life and will be very beneficial for their oral health.
One way, of course, that you can encourage them is by flossing yourself. Kids tend to pick up on things that we do and using floss will seem to be something ‘normal’ if you do it too.
Even if you floss, you should still make use of our oral hygienist service to ensure that your mouth remains healthy. To make an appointment with them, or for any other appointments or information, please call our Epsom dental clinic on 01372 720136.