The type of dental floss is not a recent invention, but it is an ancient find since remains of dental floss have been found in the teeth of humans belonging to the time of prehistory.
HISTORY OF THE TYPE OF DENTAL FIRES
A dentist named Levi Spear Parmly born in New Orleans will be recognized as the discoverer of the dental floss that we know and use today, this dentist through his consultation began to recommend to his patients the use of dental floss to sanitize their teeth, around from the year 1815.
This great invention reached consumers around 1882 when the Codman & Shurtleft company began its manufacture in silk and it would not be until 1898 when the Johnson & Johnson Corporation company would receive the first patent for the manufacture of dental floss.
Dental flossing and its use was highly compromised, being of almost zero use until the Second World War, at which time Dr. Charles Bass introduced the use of nylon thread that had more resistance and elasticity.
Nowadays, dentists recommend brushing the teeth, use of a dental mouthwash and especially the use of dental floss to avoid accumulation in places of difficult access, there has been a change in vision, the use of dental floss is not treated as something secondary in oral hygiene but as a complement to oral hygiene.
To have good oral hygiene, it is necessary to carry out a correct technique of brushing the teeth, brushing the tongue and we cannot forget to floss between teeth to be able to eliminate the remains of food that accumulate in these areas.
Passing the dental floss we will avoid and prevent the appearance of dental cavities. By using dental floss correctly, we will remove plaque and food particles from places where the toothbrush cannot easily reach, that is, under the gum and between the teeth. We recommend the daily use of dental floss in order to avoid the accumulation of plaque that can cause cavities and gum disease.
WHAT KIND OF DENTAL THREAD IS THERE?
The type of dental floss can vary depending on the needs or depending on “the use of dental floss”. Later, we explain how to floss.
The main types of dental floss are:
- Floss
- Tape or dental floss
- Super Floss
Floss
The dental floss type is the most commonly used and the most common. It has a rounded surface and is used in people with normal interdental spaces, not too large.
Tape or dental floss
The dental tape can be with or without wax. This has a large flat surface, which is used in people with larger than usual interdental spaces.
Super Floss
The Super Floss dental floss type is a specific floss for fixed bridges and orthodontic appliances. Each thread has three different zones:
- A rigid segment to be able to insert it under the bridge or brackets.
- A spongy segment for the removal of bacterial plaque.
- A segment of wax-free silk for the rest of the teeth.
HOW TO USE THE DENTAL Floss?
If dental floss is used properly and with the optimal frequency, it is able to remove bacterial plaque and food particles from places where the toothbrush cannot access, places such as: between teeth or in the free gum area that we all own. It is advisable to floss on a daily basis.
To know how to floss or floss, here are some tips to keep in mind in any type of dental floss:
- Cut a chunk of floss of about 45 centimeters and wrap each of its ends around the ring finger of each hand, leaving 3 to 5 centimeters between both fingers to be able to have a good use of dental floss between teeth.
- Hold the floss type tight between the thumbs and index fingers, and gently slide it up and down between the teeth.
- Curl the floss gently around the base of each tooth, making sure it goes under the gum. You should not force the dental floss type, as this could cut or damage the gum.
- In the lower teeth, the thread is guided with the index fingers instead of the thumbs to facilitate the control of movements.
- Displace the sector of floss that you have used in each proximal space to clean as you advance each tooth with clean floss.
In any of the cases, the most advisable thing is to perform an annual hygiene with the professional dentist who, in addition to assessing our state of the oral cavity, will remind us of the best brushing technique since it varies according to the patient, and will remind us how to use dental floss. . The use of dental floss can prevent the appearance of different oral pathologies such as halitosis, cavities, among others.
At Smile Care Plymouth we recommend that you brush your teeth three times a day, after each meal and that you floss every day, usually before going to sleep. Here are our recommendations for a good tooth brushing.
When brushing your teeth, first of all you must floss between teeth, after passing it through all the teeth, you have to vigorously rinse your mouth to remove plaque and debris from the interdental spaces and finally you must perform a correct tooth brushing.
