You need to floss…
It’s the line that probably all of us have heard from a
dental professional at some point, am I right?!
Well the reality is, you might not need to.
Hey, it’s Jon from Electric Teeth here.
When we brush our teeth, we are disrupting and removing
bacteria that could be harmful if left untouched.
Toothbrushing alone cleans around 60 percent of the tooth surfaces,
meaning up to 40 percent hasn’t been cleaned.
Bacteria causes gum disease. And gum disease is one the most common
reasons people lose their teeth. Commonly it starts in those areas between the teeth,
so it is really important to clean this area.
Flossing is the word commonly used to describe cleaning between the teeth,
but the correct terminology is interdental cleaning.
Flossing has become synonymous with this, because dental floss is the most commonly used tool.
But, it's just one method of interdental cleaning — there
are various, and potentially better alternatives.
Interdental brushes, also known as proxy brushes, are small, thin plastic or silicone brushes that
are available in different sizes to fit into the gaps between our teeth.
Water flossers are electronic devices that shoot out pressurised water to blast away plaque,
debris and bacteria from between the teeth and along the gumline.
And then you have a wide array of flossing tools,
such as floss picks and floss threaders, that help to hold and use floss.
According to the evidence, interdental brushes are the most effective method. They
are the ideal alternative to dental floss. They are less technique sensitive too.
But, it's important to remember that what works for one person may not work
for everyone. It's all about finding the tool that works best for you and
you are most comfortable with. The aim is to build a regular flossing habit.
The best thing you can do, is schedule an appointment with a dental professional
and ask their opinion on what tools are ideally suited to you, based on your mouth.
Their recommendations for someone with deep gum pockets are likely
going to be different for someone with generally healthy and disease free gums.
Whilst certain tools might encourage you to floss more regularly, they were designed with
specific needs in mind. For example floss picks work well for those with manual dexterity issues
who are unable to wrap and move the floss around the teeth, like you ideally should.
Typically with a floss pick, you are not going to get quite such as an effective clean because the
floss doesn’t wrap around the edge of the tooth in quite the same way. Thus, regular flossing,
with the correct technique is better for most people who can.
Linked in the top right corner is a video demonstrating how to floss correctly.
If you are an avid floss pick user and you simply don’t want to use another tool,
then that is fine. Ultimately doing some form of interdental cleaning is better than none at all.
Taking a bit of a closer look at each alternative tool then.
Interdental brushes.
They look like little bottle brushes, with bristles of the same or varying lengths.
The design depends on things like the brand and brush size.
TePe and Gum are some of the most poplar brands, but there are lots of others too.
Most have short handles, but the protective cap for the bristles
can extend the handle length in some instances and you can get
specialised ones with long handles, ideal for reaching the back teeth.
There are more sustainable options made from bio plastics or with wooden
handles. A particularly good solution is the Curaprox Prime.
It has a reusable metal or plastic handle with a brush refill system.
Each new wire and bristle part has just a small amount of plastic on it,
so there is much less waste overall. All the refills fit all of the handles.
There is the option for a short handle which has a unique “o” design,
or a longer handle that allows the bristles to be angled at the end.
Interdental brushes can be reused and generally last up to about a week.
They come in a range of sizes. You generally have a choice of up to 9,
depending on brand and handle design. Using the right size is essential to get the best results.
Your dental professional can advise you on the right size for the gaps between your teeth. Don’t
expect to use just 1 size for all your teeth. It is common to need 2 or 3 different sizes.
Although less technique sensitive than string floss,
there is still a correct and incorrect way to use them. This video shows you how.
Water flossers.
Anyone can use one of these, but some people might be better suited,
such as those with braces or implants for example.
They use pressurised water to flush away debris and bacteria stuck on and between the teeth.
They can be really satisfying to use and more enjoyable too.
They are typically available in 2 styles,
corded countertop units and cordless wire free models. The latter gives more manoeuvrability
and are more travel friendly, but typically sacrifice flossing time as a consequence.
There are a whole variety of different tips or nozzle styles available, take advice as not all
will be ideally suited to you. And the range of options and prices vary from one brand to another.
They do too often offer various pressure settings
giving a softer or more intense clean. Always start low and work
up to the higher levels. It isn’t simply a case of the more pressure the better.
Use them right and they can do a great job. Many people use them as an additional tool in their
oral care routine. Maybe using a water flosser in addition to string floss, or just using it
a couple of times a week to make sure they are doing the best they can to keep the mouth clean.
Water flossers are technique sensitive. You need to aim the water at 90 degrees to the
gumline. They can be messy too. You need to be lent over a sink to expel the waste water.
Despite being more bulky and technique sensitive they are a firm favourite
for many as the pressured water is doing most of the hard work.
To see what models we recommend check out the video linked here.
And now to flossing tools including floss picks.
There are a whole number of different products of varying styles available in this category.
The most popular are floss picks, which are tools with floss pre threaded or fitted to the
little handle. Super convenient these are, they are designed to be used once and disposed of.
You can get them too where they attach to a reusable handle. These can be
beneficial for reaching tighter spaces at the back of the mouth for example.
Refillable floss handles, harp or holders as they might be called are a more sustainable
option. They are not pre-threaded and you can attach in most cases your preferred string floss.
By using these handles, it can often make it easier to complete the act of cleaning
between the teeth because you are not all fingers and thumbs in the mouth.
Just attach the floss to the handle,
complete the interdental cleaning and then dispose of the used floss.
You then have floss threaders.
A bit like a dewing needle, they have an eye for fitting the floss through and a fine handle
that helps pull the floss in and around dental appliances such as braces or in between the teeth.
Once pulled through you then floss normally.
If there is one thing to take away from this video,
it is that there isn’t one perfect tool for everyone. There might be a right tool
for you, but that doesn’t mean it is suitable for your friends and family.
Whatever tool you do or end up using, be it one or multiple,
it is better to be doing something than nothing at all. But taking professional advice and ensuring
you are using the tool correctly is going to ensure you get the best results possible.
In the description below are links to buy some of our favourite tools along with an
article that goes into more detail on what we have covered in this video.