As you probably know, dentists all recommend the use of dental floss or interdental brushes to complete your tooth brushing. ☝️
These tools, whose use is strangely rare in France, are very useful for perfecting the cleaning of your smile, particularly between the teeth, where our toothbrushes have a little more difficulty doing their job. They also help to reduce the risk of gingivitis ( inflammation of the gums ) and other oral diseases, which can go as far as periodontitis (a loosening of the teeth following recession of the gums caused by the accumulation of tartar). 🤒
tartar can only be removed by descaling. We remind you that descaling at home is a very bad idea and strongly discouraged! It is imperative to go to the dentist.
However, interdental brushes and dental floss, although having the same function, are not necessarily aimed at the same types of people or the same oral hygiene needs. But then, which one to choose? 🧐 This may depend on the shape of your teeth, the size of your interdental spaces or even the recommendations of your dentist, especially if you suffer from specific oral conditions.
To help you, MyVariations compared dental floss and interdental brushes...
What are the specificities of dental floss?
Dental floss is particularly effective for perfecting the cleaning of surfaces between the teeth and up to the gums , as well as in rather tight interdental spaces. 🤏
Dental professionals recommend flossing at least twice a day, in addition to brushing your teeth, which generally takes place after each meal. 🥗 This is a great ally for removing food residue and dental plaque that the toothbrush struggles to reach. 🪥
In terms of using this tool, it's quite simple, and we have listed the steps to follow.
- Use a section of dental floss approximately 45 cm long (one section per interdental space, to avoid spreading bacteria in the mouth , dental plaque and residue from one space to another 🦠).
- Wrap the two ends of this section around your fingers, of course leaving a portion of thread free between your two fingers. 😉
- Hold the floss tightly, then slide it gently between your teeth, up to the gum , being careful not to press too much on it with the floss so as not to injure yourself. 👄
- Then proceed to eliminate food particles and dental plaque by making a vertical back-and-forth movement along the interdental space. 🦷
- When you have finished flossing between each tooth (top and bottom! 🤓), gently remove the floss using the same back and forth motion.
- Finally, rinse your mouth with water to remove any particles that may have come off the floss during your cleaning. 💦
If you're afraid of not being able to floss, don't panic! There are floss holders, often sold in pharmacies, which simplify flossing. 🏥
Please note that if you wear orthodontic appliances (braces, prostheses, bridge, crowns, etc.), you will need to be extra careful and perform the procedure as gently as possible. 🕊 In this case, dentists also recommend limiting the use of dental floss to the upper part of the interdental spaces, without getting too close to the gums . 😊
Furthermore, there are a multitude of different types of dental floss, which vary in their thickness, material, color or scent, etc. Here are some of the types of dental floss that you can find in stores:
- Antibacterial: the most classic, and often the cheapest 👌
- Whiteness: which helps eliminate stains in the dental space and keep teeth white 💎
- Ultra-soft: for people who have sensitive gums or who tend to bleed easily 🩸
- Expansive: for optimal cleaning, the thread swells on contact with saliva, leaving no food debris behind 😎
- PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) thread: more expensive, it is made of the same material used in the manufacture of high-tech Gore-Tex fabric. This material slides very easily between teeth, even in very tight interdental spaces, and is stronger than regular dental floss. 💪
All these dental floss can also be flavored. This can be a considerable advantage when you want to introduce your child(ren) to the use of dental floss. 👧 Indeed, many children don't like mint. Strawberry, melon and cherry dental floss can help them better tolerate flossing, which younger children don't like very much. 🍒 However, adults may also prefer these more original scents!
Small warning, depending on the type chosen, dental floss can cause bleeding gums. If this is the case, you will need to choose a softer floss, or favor the use of interdental brushes. However, be careful, this is often due to inflammation of the gums and can be a sign that your dental care routine is not suitable. 🤕 Also, if this bleeding continues, don't hesitate to consult your great dentist! 👩⚕️
How are interdental brushes different?
Interdental brushes allow, as their name suggests, to clean the interdental spaces. Therefore, they have the same mission as dental floss. They should also be used twice a day, after a good, thorough tooth brushing , to ensure optimal cleanliness for your pretty smile and fresher breath. 🍃
However, unlike dental floss, which is more recommended for people with narrow interdental spaces, brushes are intended for those who have teeth that are a little further apart or suffer from gum problems. Indeed, interdental brushes tend to be gentler on the gums , especially when they are sensitive. 🙆♀️
How to use the interdental brushes ? It's very easy ! Here are the steps to follow :
- Gently insert the brush between your teeth to maintain healthy gums . 😌
- Go back and forth, rubbing gently. 🧹
- Once cleaning is complete, rinse the brush heads very well under clean water, then replace their cap. 🚰
Also remember that you must change your interdental brushes every 7 to 10 days on average, to ensure their effectiveness and the cleanliness of your mouth. 🔁 Furthermore, due to their greater softness compared to dental floss, interdental brushes can be used by people with orthodontic appliances (rings, bridges, crowns, etc.). Even if you still have to take it slowly. 😙
As with dental floss, there are several types and sizes of interdental brushes, which adapt to the different sizes of interdental spaces. At most suppliers you will find brushes generally ranging from 0.6 mm to 6 mm. 🙌
If you don't know which size to choose, it's safer to start with a small size. This will reduce the risk of the brush head being too large to fit between your teeth. On the contrary, if you notice that the rod twists easily or you feel that the brush head is too thin, you can try the next size up, and vice versa.
However, it may happen that you are unable to insert the interdental brush between your teeth at all, even if you choose the smallest size possible. 😰 If you find yourself in this situation, it is better to floss your teeth rather than force it, you risk injuring yourself. Dental floss is indeed ideal for very narrow interdental spaces or people with overlapping teeth.
An important thing to remember is that it is normal to notice slight bleeding during the first uses of interdental brushes (we said “light” 😜). Here again, you should not hesitate to stop using brushes and then visit your dentist if this bleeding increases.
So find out the correct way to use interdental brushes beforehand!
To sum up ...
Dental floss and interdental brushes play the same role: complement toothbrushing for optimal cleaning of the spaces between the teeth, where the toothbrush sometimes has difficulty getting through. 😁
However, although their function is the same and their effectiveness equivalent, these two tools are not aimed at the same people. Thus, we will favor the use of dental floss if we have narrow interdental spaces (or even very narrow) or overlapping teeth. 🧶 You should choose your type of dental floss carefully according to your needs and sensitivity. For example, your gums often bleed, choose an ultra-soft floss instead. If you want maximum cleaning, you should opt for expansive dental floss.
In the case of interdental brushes, it's the thickness that makes all the difference (and yes, size matters!). So, if you are a novice, it is safer to start with the minimum size so as not to irritate your gums . It is up to each individual to test the size up or down, until the clean and feel when going through is to your liking. 💁♂️ Despite this, interdental brushes are generally thicker than dental floss, and are therefore more aimed at people with slightly wider interdental spaces, or happy teeth for example. 🍀 If even the smallest size seems too thick, switch to finer dental floss instead.
Finally, we would like to repeat that even if these tools are very useful and their effects are beneficial, the basis of good dental hygiene begins with:
- Daily and thorough tooth brushing; 2 to 3 times a day for 2 minutes, using a toothbrush with delicate soft bristles with enamel and a suitable toothpaste. 🪥
- And regular check-ups with your dentist! (And yes, come on, don’t be afraid! 🙇♂️)
- Most dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush to best remove plaque and minimize the risk of cavities. The one from MyVariations, equipped with sonic technology, provides deep but gentle brushing, allowing dental plaque to be optimally removed. Its integrated 2-minute timer makes it much easier to respect the duration of brushing your teeth. 🤗
We also take this opportunity to advise you to favor dental floss and interdental brushes that contain no or very little plastic, so that they represent less plastic waste (not like manual toothbrushes which are difficult to recycle !)
Now that you know everything, you can choose the best option for you! 👍 Find all the dental hygiene tips from MyVariations right here: https://myvariations.com/blogs/infos
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