Taking small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in oral health.
Virginia G. Carrillo, MEd, BSDH, RDH, dental hygienist at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, shared valuable insights for those looking to improve their oral care routine. One of her top recommendations? Floss regularly.
“Flossing can be uncomfortable at first, especially if the gums are sensitive due to inflammation or if a person is not in the habit of flossing,” but taking the step of doing this regularly can improve the health of teeth, gums and overall drastically improve health. , Carrillo said.
When it comes to counseling her patients about flossing, Carrillo, assistant professor/clinician in the Division of Dental Hygiene in the Department of Periodontology, emphasizes the importance of tailoring the approach to an individual’s age and stage of life.
“As physicians, we evaluate a patient’s dexterity and level of understanding before recommending oral care instruments,” she said. “There are many types of floss on the market, so it is important to help each patient find one that suits his or her needs.”
Wire silk
Thread floss is the most traditional flossing tool and while there are several brands available, Carrillo says the right technique is more important than the type of floss chosen – she advocates the c-shape technique.
“C-shaped flossing allows the patient to move the floss up and down between adjacent teeth to remove plaque, a sticky biofilm that forms naturally on the tooth surface, and food particles,” Carrillo said.
To use the c-shape technique, remove a piece of floss the size of your forearm and wrap the ends around each middle finger, leaving index fingers and thumbs free to guide the floss around the teeth. Starting at the back of the upper or lower jawline, gently slide the floss between the teeth while curving it into a C-shape around the side of one tooth. Move the floss back and forth as you bring it as far under the gum line as possible and back up again. Before removing the floss, repeat the motion on the adjacent tooth.
It’s important to continue flossing gently, Carrillo said. “If you allow the floss to poke between the teeth, it can cause trauma to the gums. The c-shape flossing technique takes time to learn and build on, just like any new skill,” she said.
Floss picks
For patients who have difficulty squeezing or grasping objects or for those who have difficulty with traditional flossing, Carrillo may recommend a floss picker instead of floss.
A dental floss pick is a small plastic tool with a curved end that holds a short piece of floss in place, making it a comfortable tool to hold. Before use, the floss portion should be pushed between the teeth with a gentle sawing motion. Once in place, a gentle up and down motion will help loosen plaque.
“I like to explain that the gingival tissue or gums will not embrace a dirty tooth, but will pull away from the tooth until the biofilm of bacterial plaque is removed,” says Carrillo. “Brushing your teeth is very important, but it does not reach between the teeth to effectively remove plaque.”
The bacteria that grow and colonize on plaque in the crevices of the teeth and below the gum line are the cause of cavities, gum disease, dental infections and other complications.
Water flosser
“Patients with braces have more difficulty flossing because they have to work around the wires and brackets of their braces,” says Carrillo. Dental implants, crowns, and other appliances can also make it difficult to remove plaque and stuck-on food.
A water flosser is one tool Carrillo might recommend to a hair patient who has trouble with other flossing methods. The device uses a stream of pulsating water to clean between dental appliances, between the teeth and within the gum line.
For patients with bridges and implants, Carrillo finds that using a water flosser in combination with another flossing method ensures that the surfaces between the teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
For proper use of a water flosser, Carrillo recommends asking for a demonstration by a dentist.
Be true to your teeth
“Brushing your teeth only cleans 65% of exposed surfaces,” explains Eddie M. Cortez, DDS, a provider at UT Dentistry’s General Dentistry Clinic. “The other 35% comes from flossing, which cleans between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.”
Flossing helps remove plaque and preserves the bone that supports your teeth. It also prevents gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Cortez warns that gum disease is linked to an increased risk of more serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and can contribute to its progression, but a good oral hygiene routine can help.
“Flossing reduces the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and even bad breath,” he said.
For those who have trouble remembering to floss, Cortez suggests a few practical tips:
- Place the floss on your toothbrush or in plain sight.
- Set a daily alarm reminder on your phone.
- Place sticky notes on your bathroom mirror as a visual cue.
“I’ve seen too many patients who don’t floss and end up paying for it with tartar buildup, bone loss and cavities,” he said. “Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you – floss daily.”
For more information about UT Dentistry’s general dentistry clinic, please call 210-567-6453.