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Posts Tagged ‘flossing and brushing 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.

Tooth Brushing Techniques

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

357249_blogBrushing your teeth is the best way to combat build up of plaque, tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease. It’s incredibly easy to do, takes only a few minutes and should already be a part of everybody’s daily routine. By brushing your teeth twice a day, morning and night, you can stave off a whole assortment of oral health nightmares, all the while making your teeth and most importantly your smile sparkle. Brushing should be done by everyone regardless of their diet, but for those who consume a lot of sugary, sweet foods it is especially important. This is because those kinds of foods contain sugars and starches that are quick to cause plaque build up and eat at the enamel, causing tooth decay.

Flossing

Flossing your teeth should be done alongside brushing as flossing daily helps to remove the plaque that builds up between the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss the plaque will grow and eventually harden into tartar. Plaque and tartar build-up has been linked to heart disease and other serious conditions so it’s not something we can afford to ignore.

Brushing the teeth

When brushing your teeth it’s important to use the right tools and equipment so that the process is as effective as possible and maximises the amount of plaque removal. A soft bristled toothbrush is recommended and fluoride toothpaste is shown to prevent tooth decay considerably. There are many different types of toothpaste on the market today, with products catering to a whole range of different needs, such as those with sensitive teeth, those with stained teeth and even natural toothpastes that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This means that there’s absolutely no excuse or argument against brushing.

Focus on Flossing

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

357249_blogMost people are aware of the benefits of brushing their teeth, but flossing is often overlooked. We strongly recommend flossing to our patients as it is an effective means of cleaning the mouth and preventing plaque formation.

What exactly is flossing?

Flossing is a cleaning technique that involves threading dental floss through gaps between the teeth and along the gum line. The aim of flossing is to clean the mouth and remove food debris and bacteria. This helps to prevent plaque formation and therefore has major benefits for your oral health. Plaque is a sticky film that appears on the teeth and gums. It is made from bacteria, leftover food debris and saliva and contributes to decay and gum disease.

Flossing is really important because it cleans parts of the mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. You can’t fit a toothbrush in the gaps between your teeth, but you can fit floss through and this ensures a much deeper and more thorough clean.

How should I floss?

When you are flossing, cut a fairly long piece of tape and gently pass it through the gaps between your teeth. Use a new piece of floss for every tooth and avoid pulling at the tape. If you tug at the floss you might cause damage to your gums, so be gentle.

It’s advisable to floss between all your teeth and also to clean the gum line.

Is it normal for the gums to bleed?

If your gums start to bleed when you floss, it may be a sign of gum disease, especially if you are used to flossing and floss on a regular basis. If you’ve never flossed before, your gums might bleed and feel slightly sore the first couple of times you do it. This is completely normal but if bleeding persists, we recommend making an appointment with your dentist.

If you’re unsure about flossing, would like tips on flossing technique or recommendations about which kind of dental floss to buy, our dental team will be happy to help.

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.

Brilliant Flossing and Brushing in Central Leeds

Monday, September 24th, 2012

You’ve probably heard it time and time again, but for some people in central Leeds, they need reminding of the importance of oral hygiene. Look at the bigger picture: if you get the right products to floss and brush with, you will help in preventing plaque growing in the mouth which will then lead to gum disease and tooth decay. These will damage the gums, ruin the teeth and possibly lead to heart failure in the future- you will also have to take out a second mortgage in order to pay for corrective procedures. Keeping your teeth free from bacteria here is key, so after every meal, the teeth and gums have to be free from foodstuffs that may have got stuck, otherwise the  bacteria and acids turn to plaque and will attack the surfaces of the teeth. Flossing will help get in deep when it comes to intimate cleaning and get rid of anything lurking between the teeth and around the gums. Then you can get to work in earnest by brushing the surfaces of the teeth. Finding a good tooth brush and a good dental floss that suits your teeth and gums will be a matter of trial and error in the beginning but persevere and get it right and you will avoid complications in the future.