Flossing—A First String Player

A simple piece of string can prevent cavities and boost your overall health. 

If you think brushing reaches all tooth surfaces vulnerable to cavities consider this.  A tooth has five sides at risk of developing a cavity and brushing only gets three of them—the top, inside and outside. These surfaces have the natural cleansing effects of the tongue to help them, but the in between areas can only be cleaned by flossing.  So flossing may be even more important than brushing.

Flossing dislodges food particles under the gums in between the teeth that if not removed everyday can harden and fester causing a bacterial load that can lead to an infection of the gums and bone around the teeth-- destroying the very tissues that hold the teeth in the mouth.  Furthermore, this inflammatory disorder can contribute to major problems throughout the body and recent studies suggest links between periodontal disease and diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and stomach cancer.

Ideally, one should floss after every meal, but once a day is more practical.  Bedtime is better, rather than morning because, for those seven to eight hours at night the natural washing effect of salivary flow is very low and the bacteria can proliferate more rapidly in a dry environment. 

Here’s how to get into the groove: Take 60 seconds to wrap 18 inches of floss around your middle fingers and hold it with your index fingers and thumbs to give a “tight inch”.  See-saw through the tight spots and hug the tooth as you scrape up and down.  Begin on the upper right and go all the way around the upper left, and then go from left to right on the lower teeth--systematically so that you do not miss any spots. 

Use flavored floss if you like, a floss pick if you are on the go, a floss holder with a large gripping handle if you have arthritis, waxed or unwaxed (waxed is less likely to shred and easier to slide in between), wider floss “tape” if it is more comfortable to your fingers (it also has the benefit of covering a larger portion of the tooth).  It may take a little practice and your gums might bleed a little until they become healthier, but it is a daily routine that is absolutely essential.

Dr Rodney Andrus is a Board Certified Prosthodontist (an ADA recognized specialist tooth replacement and restoration) and provides expert solutions to challenging dental problems at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry in St George, UT.  For more information you can call his office at 435-674-3100.