Flossing Teeth can Give You More Problems Than Benefits If Not Performed Properly

Flossing your teeth is an important part of any oral health care routine. But if it is not performed properly, the routine will do more harm than good.

Using floss correctly can remove pieces of food and plaque from between teeth. Flossing helps maintain oral hygiene and prevent dental problems.

Robin Seymour, Emeritus Professor of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University, says that many people floss incorrectly, pushing plaque between the teeth down underneath their gums.

Professor Seymour writes in the Daily Mail that many people use a sawing action to drag the floss back and forth, which doesn't remove plaque and can traumatise the gums.

He also says that only 17% of adults floss on a regular basis, which is three or four times a week. The professor recommends the use of an electric toothbrush, followed by an interspace or interdental brush and then an alcohol-free mouthwash, instead of flossing.

According to him, people should use a mouthwash which contains cetylpyridinium chloride, or CPC, and essential oils.

"Using a mouthwash is going to be as good as flossing and as most also contain fluoride there are additional benefits in terms of protecting teeth from decay. Another advantage of mouthwashes like Dentyl Active is that they stain the debris and plaque so when you spit the mouthwash out, you can clearly see what has been removed. This encourages better brushing by showing how much plaque was missed, while providing the reassurance that it has been removed," he writes in the Daily Mail,

Source: Medindia