Dental floss allows cleaning of the points that toothbrush cannot reach. Interdental spaces can be prevented by using only dental floss. Brushing your teeth alone only cleans three-fifths of the tooth surfaces. Therefore, cleaning the bacterial plaque and food residues that will form between the teeth that are not cleaned requires special care. Since tooth decay and gum diseases start especially in these areas, dental floss should be used regularly every day. Waxed dental floss is preferred for ease of use. You can also choose fluoride dental floss.
- Break off about 45 cm of dental floss and wrap the ends around your middle fingers.
- Use your thumbs to pass the floss between your upper teeth. Do this with soft and slow movements, taking care not to damage your gums.
- When cleaning your lower teeth, use your index fingers to pass the floss between your teeth. Move the floss up and down, curving around each tooth, to remove bacterial plaque. Clean your teeth thoroughly by repeating the same process on each tooth. When dental floss is used regularly with a toothbrush in cleaning bacterial plaque, it is twice as effective as brushing your teeth alone.
