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Dental floss
Proper flossing removes plaque and food from places a toothbrush can't easily reach—under the gums and between teeth. Because plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis, daily flossing is highly recommended.
To get the most out of flossing, I use the following technique:
1. Wrap approximately 40 centimeters of yarn around each middle finger, leaving about 10 centimeters between the fingers.
2. Holding the floss between your thumb and index finger, slide it lightly up and down between your teeth.
3. Carefully pass the floss around the base of each tooth, passing the line where the tooth meets the gum. Never force the floss against the gum, as it can cut or injure the fragile gum tissue.
4. Use a new piece of dental floss for each tooth to be cleaned.
5. To remove the floss, use back-to-front movements, removing it from between the teeth.
What type of dental floss should I use?
Nylon (or multifilament) thread
PTFE yarn (monofilament)
Nylon dental floss is available on the market, both waxed and unwaxed, in a wide variety of flavors. Because this type of floss is composed of many nylon fibers, it can sometimes tear or fray, especially if teeth are too close together. Although more expensive, single-filament floss (PTFE) glides easily between teeth, even when spaced too closely, and won't break. Used properly, both types of floss remove plaque and food debris.
