Dental flossers are now the trending alternative to traditional string flossers. One of the most important inventions is that of water flossers. They have proved to be 29% more effective in removal of plaque as compared to string flossers.
However, people make mistakes when flossing as they do not know the use of modern dental flossers. In the following article, we will take a deep dive into understanding dental flossers and discuss some common mistakes that people make when using them.
Dental flossers
Dental flossers are specialized tools that are designed specifically to clean between the teeth. In old times, people used nylon strings or threads to clean between the spaces. But, in today’s time the flossers have taken various other forms, such as water and pick flossers.
Using flossers not only keeps you away from infections and diseases, but also plays a crucial role in cosmetic dentistry by enhancing one’s overall appearance. Did you know that 13.7% of females do not feel satisfied about their appearance, including their smiles? If you are one of those females, don’t forget that flossing is the key to white and clean teeth in cosmetic dentistry. It is essential to use dental flossers on a regular basis, as suggested by dental professionals.
A good periodontist will suggest its use daily at night in order to avoid infection. A periodontist is a person who helps with maintaining a good oral health and avoid infections and periodontal diseases.
How to use dental flossers?
Here is the correct way to use dental flossers:
- If you are using traditional floss, wind the floss around your middle fingers and leave 2 inches for cleaning.
- Place the floss between two teeth.
- Gently move it up and down. Make sure to do this carefully as it can scratch your gums if not properly used.
- Repeat the procedure for all teeth and spaces between them.
Common mistakes people make when using dental flossers
Many people make mistakes when using dental flossers as they do not know how to use them effectively. In the points below, we will discuss 10 mistakes that people make when using dental flossers and also discuss how they can avoid these mistakes. Following are the mistakes and suggestions on how to avoid them:
- Flossing gums
One of the many mistakes that people make is that they move their flossers up and down in a way that bruises their gums. You will need to seek help from a periodontist if you continue to make the same mistake repeatedly. This is because if the string rubs hard against the gums, they can bleed and cause irritation that may not go away quickly. Make sure to stay gentle and avoid touching your gums with the flosser.
- Flossing too little or too much
Some people floss too little which can lead to build up of tartar and plaque between the teeth and lead to various dental issues, making them seek the expertise of a good periodontist. Furthermore, tartar buildup can cause a very bad breath and affect the people around you as well.
Aggressively flossing your teeth can also cause the enamel to wear off by time, eventually leading to weak tooth and tooth loss. Make sure to floss at a mild rate and avoid any serious problems.
- Flossing irregularly
Flossing your teeth irregularly is a common mistake. Most people who brush their teeth daily fail to understand that flossing is as important as brushing. They refuse to be consistent when it comes to flossing, thus leading to a variety of dental issues, such as periodontal disease.
- Not flossing on both sides of the tooth
Most people fail to floss both sides of their teeth and only focus on the upper surface. Make sure to scrape the plaque off of your teeth by flossing on all sides. This is specifically for those who are currently undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures. They will need to take special care of your teeth. Therefore, make sure to floss both sides of your teeth, back and front.
- Improper technique
Most people are unaware of how to use dental flossers and floss with improper technique in the process. They scrape and bruise their gums in order to try to floss between their teeth. The solution is to gently glide the floss between your teeth and avoid reaching the gum area.
- Using the same section for all teeth
Using the same section for all teeth is one of the biggest mistakes. While you are doing so, you are spreading the bacteria all over your oral cavity from one tooth to another. Make sure to avoid this as this can result in gum diseases.
- Ignoring bleeding gums
Never ignore bleeding gums. People often ignore bleeding gums while flossing, which later causes irritation and infections.
- No fixed time
Set time for your floss. The best time is before going to bed. This ensures a healthy and bacteria free mouth at night.
- Not using enough floss
This is a common problem. You have to use 1-2 inches of your dental flosser, specifically the string flossers. Not using enough floss won’t be able to reach spaces.
- Not using high quality floss
People who are undergoing cosmetic dentistry treatments must keep this in mind that there are different types of dental flossers and you must use the best one out there. Poor quality floss breaks down easily and gets stuck between your teeth.
Conclusion
Dental flossers have come a long way from the traditional string flosser to pick and water flossers to clean between their teeth. However, even with these advancements, people tend to make some common mistakes as discussed above, leading to periodontal diseases.
If you are an individual looking for a good dental professional to guide you, don’t worry. Contact Lycian Dental Clinic where we offer 24/7 consultation and offer the best treatments for periodontal diseases. Contact us today and book your appointment.