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It is important to clean in between
your teeth daily because it is a front-line of defence
in preventing gum disease and bad breath, and can
play a role in preventing tooth decay too. It allows
you to get to the areas beyond the reach of your toothbrush.
Using dental floss daily is one of the common ways
to clean between your teeth.
How should I floss?
 Step
1:
Take about 18 inches (50cm) of floss and loosely wrap
most of it around each middle finger (wrapping more
around one finger than the other) leaving 2 inches
(5cm) of floss in between.
 Step
2:
With your thumbs and index fingers holding the floss
taut, gently slide it down between your teeth, while
being careful not to snap it down on your gums..
Step 3:
 Curve
the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape
and gently move it up and down the sides of eachtooth,
including under the gumline. Unroll a new section
of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
At first, flossing might feel awkward. But stick with
it! With just a little patience and practice, it will
begin to feel as natural as brushing your teeth.
How long does it take for flossing
to start paying off?
The fact is, flossing provides unmistakable benefits
that start from day one. After flossing, your teeth
and gums feel cleaner because the floss reaches areas
your toothbrush can't. Your breath will be fresher,
and the health of your gums will improve. So, if your
dental floss is gathering dust on the bathroom shelf,
why not pick it up and try again? Even if it feels
awkward at first, keep practicing. Pretty soon, you'll
feel the difference and find that it becomes part
of your daily routine.
My gums bleed when I floss; should I stop when
this happens?
It is quite common for your gums to bleed when you
first start flossing. It may be a sign that you have
some form of gum disease. After a few days of flossing,
the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier.
If bleeding persists, consult your dentist.
I've never cleaned in between my teeth before;
is it too late to start?
It's never too late. Whatever your age, interdental
cleaning provides major benefits to your teeth and
gums that you'll notice right away so the sooner you
start, the better.
Interdental cleaning makes your teeth and gums feel
clean because it reaches areas a toothbrush can't
reach. It also keeps your breath fresh and, more importantly,
it can stop gum disease in its tracks.
What kind of floss is best?
While there are a number of different kinds of floss,
they are all designed to reach between the teeth and
below the gumline to remove plaque. The most important
factor is finding a floss that is comfortable and
easy for you to use.
Some of the newer flosses, like OralBSatinFloss®,
are designed to be easier to use. It is shred-resistant
and slides smoothly between the teeth. OralBSatinfloss
also provides a fresh burst of mint flavor when you
use it, which creates a wonderfully fresh, clean feeling
in your mouth. This is perhaps why, in consumer and
professional use studies, it was preferred 2 to 1
over a leading competitor floss.1
 If
you have trouble holding or using floss, you may want
to try a dental flossette. It eliminates the need
to wrap and guide the floss between the teeth with
the fingers, and can give you better control. Once
the flossette is inserted between the teeth, use the
same method of flossing as above. Flossettes are often
easier for children to use as they start to learn
how to floss their own teeth.
Are there flosses for special conditions?
 If
you have braces or restorative dental work (such as
a bridge) that interferes with normal flossing, you
may want to try a threading floss. OralBSuperFloss®
is unique because it has three sections in each strand:
a stiffened end that allows it to be threaded in between
your teeth, around braces, or under bridgework; a
spongy floss, to clean in wide spaces, and a regular
floss for cleaning natural teeth, and under the gumline.
Toothpaste, fluoride or an antibacterial agent can
be used on the spongy floss section
My teeth have wide gaps between them; do I still
have to floss?
Even if you have widely spaced teeth, plaque still
forms between them and below the gumline-areas your
brush can't reach. In addition to flossing, we may
also recommend using an interdental toothbrush. This
toothbrush has a very small tapered or cylindrical
head with fine bristles, ideal for removing plaque
between wider-spaced teeth.
Are there other methods of cleaning in between?
In addition to floss, there are other products
designed for cleaning between your teeth. Ask your
dentist or hygienist to help you determine which products
are best for you. Their recommendation will be influenced
by a number of factors:
The amount of space between each of your teeth
The presence of orthodontic braces or restorations,
like a bridge
The presence of implants or if you are recovering
from gum surgery
The relative ease with which you use dental floss
Interdental brushes
 If
you have widely spaced teeth, braces, bridges, or
implants, you may benefit from an interdental toothbrush.
This toothbrush has a very small tapered or cylindrical
head with fine bristles.
 The
OralBinterdental brush kit comes with a handle and
two disposable brushheads - you just need to replace
the brushhead when the bristles show wear. Also available,
for patients with sensitivity, is the soft foam brushhead
that provides a very gentle interdental cleaning sensation.
And for cleaning between your teeth when you are on
the move, the OralBcompact interdental brush (with
travel cap) is an ideal size for your purse or pocket.
Interspace brushheads (for power toothbrushes)
You can use the Interspace brushhead to clean
between teeth. This brushhead fits all OralBmodels.
Irrigators
  These,
like the OralBProfessionalCare 7900 OxyJet® Center,
use a pressurized stream of water to help clean around
the gumline. The OxyJet also has adjustable settings
for use on sensitive areas and has a water tower large
enough to clean the whole mouth. As an alternative
to water, the OxyJet can also be used with mouthrinse.
When should children start flossing?
Consult us, but a good rule of thumb is when two teeth
touch. This usually happens first with the back teeth.
To begin with, you will have to floss their teeth
for them, but they will eventually need to learn to
do it for themselves.
Using a dental flossette may help you and your child
get used to flossing. You should continue to supervise
flossing until your children are able to do a thorough
job on their own.
For more information on children's oral care, refer
to the section which is dedicated to helping you care
for your child's teeth and gums.
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