LIVE24SEVEN // Fashion, Health & Beauty
Dr Jelley, BDS
Only Clean The Teeth You Want To Keep!
There have been many misleading articles recently published about the effectiveness of flossing between teeth. The media have sensationalised the reports which has led to much confusion among the public as to the best way to effectively clean their teeth. These papers have been suggesting that flossing does not make a difference to your gum health therefore saying it is pointless. The European Federation of Periodontology has since consulted with experts around the world and concluded that “cleaning between the teeth on a daily basis is essential to maintain gum heath”.
This is a message that is routinely emphasised by dentists and hygienists alike. Brushing alone does not remove plaque or trapped food from between your teeth, leaving approximately 40% of the tooth surface much more susceptible to decay. Interdental cleaning is paramount to maintaining healthy gums and minimising the risk of developing decay and gum disease.
SHOULD I CLEAN BETWEEN MY TEETH?
Yes! Brushing between your teeth is paramount in helping to prevent gum disease. Research and the media have stated that flossing is ‘pointless’, but have not reinforced other ways to clean between your teeth. Interdental brushes are much better at removing bacteria and are available in a range of sizes. They are one of the easiest and most effective ways of removing plaque and food debris from between the teeth. Your dentist or
hygienist should advise you on the correct sizes and technique to gain the most benefits from them. Interdental brushes should feel quite tight between your teeth; if they are too loose they will not work properly but should not be so tight that they will scour the enamel. The brushes clean effectively beneath the gum level thereby reducing the risk of developing gum disease.
used on non-stick saucepans, so unless floss is used with the correct technique it will not remove debris from between your teeth. However, it is better to floss than do nothing at all.
Cleaning your gums is also more important than cleaning your teeth. When brushing with an electric toothbrush, you should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and slowly move along the gum line. By doing this, and interdentally cleaning, you will reduce gum inflammation and decrease your risk of mobility of your teeth (yes your teeth can fall out from very unhealthy gums!)
Prescale
It is critical that people with implants clean beneath the gum and around the implant. Implants are at a high risk of developing peri-implantitis, wherein the bone that holds the implant in place becomes infected resulting in bone loss. Loss of bone around an implant will result in its failure however this can easily be prevented with impeccable oral hygiene.
Another way to interdentally clean is with devices such as an airfloss or water-pick and you should consult your dentist or hygienist as to the method best suited to your mouth.
Flossing is not the most effective way to clean between your teeth and is generally only recommended when the spaces between your teeth are too tight to fit an interdental brush. Many flosses are coated with Teflon, which is the same substance
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