Floss Picks vs. Regular Floss: Dental Hygiene in Englewood OH - General and Cosmetic Dentistry

It is certainly better to use a floss pick than to not floss at all, picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. At Vitangeli Dental in Englewood OH, we recommend traditional floss or dental tape for the best dental hygiene.

Granted, floss picks are convenient. But they hold just a small section of floss stretched in a straight line. But teeth are rounded, so a straight length of floss can’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional floss.

By wrapping traditional floss completely around the circumference of a tooth, you can more capably clean that vital area around and just below the gumline. And your fingers are much more agile than a piece of plastic.

We have seen patients who are dutiful floss pick users who developed decay due to a small crack the floss pick missed day after day.

Here is a refresher course on proper flossing:

Cut a section of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with.
Thread the floss between two teeth.
Hold the floss firmly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s essential to scrape up and out of the pocket.
Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface – especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to deliver a clean piece for each tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new section.
Some people find it simpler to begin on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch. Whatever method you decide on, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the rear molars.

Your gums might bleed at first. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding typically stops within a week or two.

At Vitangeli Dental in Englewood OH, we encourage good dental hygiene. We practice general and cosmetic dentistry. Additional services include adult orthodontics. Schedule an appointment today.