Abstracted by Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS

Following our discussion on teeth brushing, this week, we will focus on cleaning and flossing; these are important steps to improve your dental health. The data is from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Educational website.

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene

Clean Between Your Teeth

Cleaning between teeth to remove plaque is also part of a good oral hygiene routine. If plaque is not removed, some of it can harden below the gum line and irritate the gums. The gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily. These are signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis caused by plaque buildup is a mild form of gum disease, and you can usually reverse it with daily brushing and flossi

If plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it can harden. This hardened plaque is called calculus, or tartar. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist. If the tartar is not removed, the gingivitis can get worse and lead to more severe gum (periodontal) disease. In advanced stages, gum disease causes sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; loose teeth; and even tooth loss.

Floss to remove plaque, and food particles, from between your teeth.

Flossing tips:

Use a string of floss about two feet long. Wrap it around the middle finger of each hand.

Grip the floss between the thumb and index finger of each hand.

Ease the floss gently between the teeth until it reaches the gumline (don’t force the floss into place — this could harm the gums). Curve the floss like the letter “C” around the side of each tooth. Slide the floss up and down under the gum.

Some people find flossing difficult because of arthritis or other issues. If it’s too hard to hold floss, try a plastic or wooden dental pick or one of these:

Floss holder – small tool that holds the floss, so you don’t need to wrap it around your fingers.

Floss threader – threads floss (like a needle and thread) through tight spaces.

Water flosser – hand-held device that sprays water.

Tiny interdental (means between teeth) brushes – specially designed to clean between teeth.

Your homework from the Care Ministry this week: practice cleaning and flossing with the above tips.

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