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Posts Tagged ‘flossing Leeds’

Flossing or Inter-Dental Brushing?

Thursday, January 14th, 2016

357249_blogFlossing and inter-dental brushing form part of a good oral hygiene regime. Dentists will advise when is best to use either dental floss or an inter-dental brush, and on the most appropriate technique. Where dental devices or restorations are present, an inter-dental brush may be more suitable than floss.

The difference between floss and an inter-dental brush

Floss is made of a collection of nylon fibres or a plastic thread. The thread is held between the fingers and inserted between and around each tooth to remove all debris and plaque. Some flossing disposable devices have a small plastic handle that may be held during flossing.

Inter-dental brushes comprise a tiny bristled head attached to a plastic handle, similar to the handle of a toothbrush. The bristled head comes in different sizes, attaches to the handle and is replaceable. Individuals hold the inter-dental brush handle while moving the bristles between and around the teeth, cleansing the surfaces between teeth and just below the gum line.

Dental flossing technique

Take a piece of dental floss, about 18 inches in length. Wrap the floss around the each index finger and gradually insert it between the teeth, starting at one end of the upper dental arch. Clean each tooth, ensuring the floss gently moves in a C curve between and around the tooth and gum line. Use a fresh part of the 18 inch piece of floss per tooth. When the upper dental arch is complete, get another 18 inch piece of floss and repeat the action for the lower dental arch.

Inter-dental brushing technique

Use the right choice of brush head and to place it gently between the teeth, carefully removing it along with stuck food debris and sticky plaque. Repeat the action for each tooth so that any bacteria-attracting agents are removed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If you would like you would like to know more about oral hygiene, please contact the team at City Dental in the heart of Leeds.

Freshen Up by Flossing in Addition to Brushing

Monday, April 20th, 2015

357249_blogIf you’re looking for ways to freshen up and make your smile sparkle this spring, why not add a couple of extra minutes to your daily oral hygiene regime and incorporate flossing or inter-dental brushing? You often hear dentists stressing the importance of flossing in addition to brushing, but the reality is that most people focus solely on brushing.

Why is flossing so beneficial?

Flossing involves passing very thin tape known as dental floss through the cracks between the teeth. It helps to dislodge food debris and remove bacteria and it’s really important because it cleans the parts of the mouth that can’t be reached easily with a toothbrush. Flossing helps to reduce the risk of plaque formation, which in turn decreases the chances of decay, bad breath and gum disease. Flossing can also help to reduce staining and discolouration.

How often should I floss?

We recommend flossing on a daily basis. It only takes a minute or two, but it can really make a difference to oral health. If you have any questions about flossing or you’d like advice on how to floss, our dentists and dental hygienists will be happy to help.

Alternatives to flossing

If you don’t like flossing or you find it too fiddly, we recommend using inter-dental brushes. These small, hand-held brushes are specially designed to clean between the teeth. They come in various sizes and your dentist can show you how to use them.

Should my gums bleed when I floss?

If you’re flossing for the first time, you may find that your gums bleed because you’re not used to it. However, if you’re used to flossing and you notice bleeding, this may be a sign of gum disease and we advise you to call and make an appointment.

The City of Leeds loves it Flossing

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

357249_blogNo-one would deny the benefits of brushing your teeth with a good brush and paste in Leeds, as it is essential to remove any bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth left by food and drink, thus preventing and outbreak of plaque. However, brushes are not the tool to use to get in deep and personal with your teeth; they are just too big and clumsy to get inside intricate areas like between the teeth and around the gums. This is why it is important to back up your brushing with flossing. Dental floss is cheap to buy and you will find it in most major outlets, but you need to find one that suits your teeth, so try a few out first until you are happy because they come in many sizes and guises; you can even buy some floss that is already set up on small harps- again you can buy a bag of these for peanuts. Once you are ready to go, you now have to learn how to weave the floss between your teeth and up around your gums. One of the best ways to do this is to practise in front of the mirror over and over again until you can do it with your eyes shut. Flossing will remove foodstuffs that get lodged in these tricky areas and prevent the build up of plaque and tartar and if you finish all of this off with a plaque-busting mouthwash, you will be on top of your oral hygiene game.

 

Flossing with joy in Leeds

Friday, December 6th, 2013

357249_blogIf you really want to look after your teeth and your gums in Leeds, you have to work at it like anything in life, and caring for your oral hygiene can help you live a healthy and long life. As you grow up, brushing your teeth is taught early on and you rely on your parents to teach you to do the basics with you, supplying you with the right brush and paste. The older you get though, the more you should work harder with your hygiene and embrace other products in your daily routine, products such as dental floss. Normal brushing is okay, but it is always good to back it up with flossing and if you learn to do it right, it can help to keep your teeth clear of foodstuffs that can harbour bacteria, promote plaque, gum disease and tooth decay. Finding the right floss at first can be a little trial and error, but you have to continue to experiment in order to maintain a high level of oral hygiene. Flosses come in all shapes and sizes but find a good one that suits your mouth and then learn to use it. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for advice either and then practise using them. The more you get the hang of dental floss, the more you will be looking after your oral health.

 

Central Leeds gives you reasons to Floss

Sunday, July 7th, 2013

4732933_blogIt is amazing to think that something as simple as flossing can not only be beneficial for your teeth and gums, but in the long run, your heart and body as well. Food easily gets stuck between your teeth and up under the gums, and if it doesn’t get removed properly, it can lead to bacteria breaking down the enamel of your teeth, then to tooth decay and most dangerous of all, gum disease- also a killer of the heart. Flossing can visit places an ordinary brush fears to tread: once you have made your choice on the type of floss that takes your fancy, you now have to learn to use it. Take time to practise this in front of the mirror first and work it up between the teeth and gums to ensure everything is removed: do this every time you eat and keep practising it until you can do it in the dark. Flossing is probably the greatest ally to an oral hygiene programme since the tooth-pick was invented and if you do this right, there is no reason why you shouldn’t keep your teeth and gums healthy in central Leeds until the day you die.