Dental Floss
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Dental
Floss
Flossing is a critical aspect of maintaining good oral health for adults and children alike. Flossing should be performed regularly before or after tooth-brushing. A large number of cavities developed between the teeth rather than the exterior, “brushable” surfaces. Flossing is the technique that removed food debris and plaque that has settled in the inter-proximal regions of the teeth. Often times, the bristles of the toothbrush cannot be wedged between the teeth, thus brushing is not a suitable substitute for flossing. Regular brushing of the teeth cannot remove the accumulated plaque and food particles stuck between the teeth. Hence flossing is imperative.
Flossing has been shown to be increasingly beneficial. Flossing prevents dental cavities and gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis). Studies have shown that regular flossing significantly reduces the incidence of gum disease. Use of dental floss prevents halitosis (bad breath) which can be caused from accumulation of plaque. A number of recent studies have revealed that gum disease is correlated with coronary disease, diabetes, and strokes. Scientists suggest that the infection from the gingiva can cause a systemic cascade from which the cardiovascular system can be affected. There has been a lot of controversy around the mechanisms through which dental health is linked to coronary disease. Oral education programs and dental public health places a key focus on flossing techniques and the benefits of flossing.
In-spite of the many benefits of flossing, it still has not attained much popularity with the general population. The act of flossing is deemed to be very cumbersome, and time-consuming. This perhaps, is why flossing is not popular. However many different kinds of flossing tools have made to ease the process of flossing. Hand held flossers or floss picks or wants are also now available at local drugstores and supermarkets. Another type of flossing device is the ergonomic floss that has a swiveling and disposable head which proves helpful in reaching the deepest corners between the teeth. For orthodontic patients, there are special types of floss that can be used to maneuver around the brackets and dental appliances. Many patients prefer waxed floss especially if there is overcrowding and a significant history of previous dental work.
The most common flossing device is the nylon or teflon thread. The thread can be held stretched by both the ends and inserted between the teeth. The use of nylon thread is the best flossing technique, although it is the most tedious process to follow. According to the American Dental Hygienists Association, the proper technique for flossing is to hold a 1-2 inch length of floss taught in the hand, and gently slide the floss between the contacts of the teeth to the gumline and around the tooth in a zig-zag motion. Notwithstanding the type of flossing device used, it has to be kept in mind that flossing is as important to oral hygiene as regular brushing is.
Mark your calenders:
National Flossing Day is November 23, 2012
1. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/flossing.htm
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/flossing-floss-sticks?page=2
3. http://www.flossing.org/
4. Arbes Jr, S.J., Slade, G.D., & Beck, J.D. (1999). Association between extent of periodontal attachment loss and self-reported history of heart attack: An analysis of NHANES III data. Journal of Dental Research, 78(12), 1777-1782. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from Career and Technical Education.
5. DeStefano, F., Anda, R.F., Kahn, H.S., Williamson, D.F., & Russell, C.M. (1993). Dental disease and risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. British Medical Journal, 306(6879), 688-691. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from JSTOR. (http://www.jstor.org/stable/29718878).
6. Desvarieux, M., Demmer , R., Rundek, T., Boden-Albala, B., Jacobs Jr, D., Papapanou, P., & Sacco, R. (2003). Relationship between periodontal disease, tooth loss, and carotid artery plaque: The oral infections and vascular disease. Stroke: American Heart Association Journal, 34, 2120-2125. Retrieved from October 8, 2012, from PubMED online. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/34/9/2120.full
7. Kaisare, S., Rao, J., & Dubashi, N. (2007). Periodontal disease as a risk factor for acute myocardial infraction. A case-control study in Goans highlighting a review of the literature. British Dental Journal, 203(3), 144-145. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source.
8. Mattila, K. J., Valtonen, V. V., Nieminen, M.S., & Huttunen, J. K. (1995). Dental infection and the risk of new coronary events: Prospective study of patients with documented coronary artery disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 20(3), 588-592. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from JSTOR database
9. Mattila, K. J., Asikainen, S., Wolf, J., Jousimies-Somer, H., & et al. (2000). Age, dental infections, and coronary heart disease. Journal of Dental Research, 79(2), 756-760. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source.
Flossing is a critical aspect of maintaining good oral health for adults and children alike. Flossing should be performed regularly before or after tooth-brushing. A large number of cavities developed between the teeth rather than the exterior, “brushable” surfaces. Flossing is the technique that removed food debris and plaque that has settled in the inter-proximal regions of the teeth. Often times, the bristles of the toothbrush cannot be wedged between the teeth, thus brushing is not a suitable substitute for flossing. Regular brushing of the teeth cannot remove the accumulated plaque and food particles stuck between the teeth. Hence flossing is imperative.
Flossing has been shown to be increasingly beneficial. Flossing prevents dental cavities and gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis). Studies have shown that regular flossing significantly reduces the incidence of gum disease. Use of dental floss prevents halitosis (bad breath) which can be caused from accumulation of plaque. A number of recent studies have revealed that gum disease is correlated with coronary disease, diabetes, and strokes. Scientists suggest that the infection from the gingiva can cause a systemic cascade from which the cardiovascular system can be affected. There has been a lot of controversy around the mechanisms through which dental health is linked to coronary disease. Oral education programs and dental public health places a key focus on flossing techniques and the benefits of flossing.
In-spite of the many benefits of flossing, it still has not attained much popularity with the general population. The act of flossing is deemed to be very cumbersome, and time-consuming. This perhaps, is why flossing is not popular. However many different kinds of flossing tools have made to ease the process of flossing. Hand held flossers or floss picks or wants are also now available at local drugstores and supermarkets. Another type of flossing device is the ergonomic floss that has a swiveling and disposable head which proves helpful in reaching the deepest corners between the teeth. For orthodontic patients, there are special types of floss that can be used to maneuver around the brackets and dental appliances. Many patients prefer waxed floss especially if there is overcrowding and a significant history of previous dental work.
The most common flossing device is the nylon or teflon thread. The thread can be held stretched by both the ends and inserted between the teeth. The use of nylon thread is the best flossing technique, although it is the most tedious process to follow. According to the American Dental Hygienists Association, the proper technique for flossing is to hold a 1-2 inch length of floss taught in the hand, and gently slide the floss between the contacts of the teeth to the gumline and around the tooth in a zig-zag motion. Notwithstanding the type of flossing device used, it has to be kept in mind that flossing is as important to oral hygiene as regular brushing is.
Mark your calenders:
National Flossing Day is November 23, 2012
1. http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/flossing.htm
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/flossing-floss-sticks?page=2
3. http://www.flossing.org/
4. Arbes Jr, S.J., Slade, G.D., & Beck, J.D. (1999). Association between extent of periodontal attachment loss and self-reported history of heart attack: An analysis of NHANES III data. Journal of Dental Research, 78(12), 1777-1782. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from Career and Technical Education.
5. DeStefano, F., Anda, R.F., Kahn, H.S., Williamson, D.F., & Russell, C.M. (1993). Dental disease and risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. British Medical Journal, 306(6879), 688-691. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from JSTOR. (http://www.jstor.org/stable/29718878).
6. Desvarieux, M., Demmer , R., Rundek, T., Boden-Albala, B., Jacobs Jr, D., Papapanou, P., & Sacco, R. (2003). Relationship between periodontal disease, tooth loss, and carotid artery plaque: The oral infections and vascular disease. Stroke: American Heart Association Journal, 34, 2120-2125. Retrieved from October 8, 2012, from PubMED online. http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/34/9/2120.full
7. Kaisare, S., Rao, J., & Dubashi, N. (2007). Periodontal disease as a risk factor for acute myocardial infraction. A case-control study in Goans highlighting a review of the literature. British Dental Journal, 203(3), 144-145. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source.
8. Mattila, K. J., Valtonen, V. V., Nieminen, M.S., & Huttunen, J. K. (1995). Dental infection and the risk of new coronary events: Prospective study of patients with documented coronary artery disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 20(3), 588-592. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from JSTOR database
9. Mattila, K. J., Asikainen, S., Wolf, J., Jousimies-Somer, H., & et al. (2000). Age, dental infections, and coronary heart disease. Journal of Dental Research, 79(2), 756-760. Retrieved October 8, 2012, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source.
