Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Brushing the tooth is part and parcel of our every day routine. It isn’t solely important to brush, but additionally to brush methodically and comply with the etiquettes of brushing the tooth and rinsing of mouth in order to take care of optimum oral, dental and gum well being. It’s also important to forestall gum and tooth issues in the long term. So, it must be a holistic and complete apply quite than a formality carried out unconsciously or in a semi-awaken state.
Within the timeline of evolution, the strategies and supplies have modified, however the apply of brushing is handed on.
Ayurveda has not solely defined ‘danta dhavana’ vis-à-vis ‘brushing of tooth’ however has additionally personalized the toothbrushes in accordance with one’s prakriti and wish. The reason has a contact of each ‘preventive’ and ‘healing’ perspective and is a science by itself.
Have you ever brushed or cleansed in between your tooth?
All of us brush. We can also assume that we now have brushed correctly. However we aren’t positive how far and the way higher we now have reached these small areas between the tooth and removed the meals particles or filth sitting therein. Cleansing in between the tooth could be very a lot important for optimum and complete oral well being.
Flossing is a technique of cleansing ‘in between the tooth’ utilizing instruments known as ‘dental floss’.
What’s dental floss?
Dental floss is a wire of skinny filaments. It’s utilized in ‘interdental cleansing’ i.e. to wash in between the tooth. It removes meals and dental plaque current in between the tooth. Floss reaches all these locations the place a toothbrush can not attain. It’s an important a part of oral cleaning and helps in sustaining oral well being.
Its use is alleged to forestall gingivitis and plaque buildup in and in between the tooth. In accordance with the American Dental Affiliation, flossing removes about 80% plaques and in addition advantages these with orthodontic units. Nevertheless, there may be restricted scientific proof to indicate the medical advantages of flossing as an adjunct to common tooth brushing.
What number of occasions ought to one floss?
It is strongly recommended to be carried out not less than as soon as every day. It may be carried out both earlier than or after brushing. Flossing will assist the toothpaste to achieve in between the tooth.
What does flossing do?
Flossing cleans the areas in between the tooth, removes the meals particles caught therein. This in flip reduces the variety of micro organism and plaque within the mouth. If the meals particles aren’t dislodged by common flossing, it might entice micro organism and therefore an infection. Plaques however, if not eliminated infrequently, contribute to cavities and gum ailments.
Improper flossing could cause potential injury to the tooth and gums. So, realizing the right method of flossing is necessary.
Steps for correct flossing
Dental floss shall be damaged off to about 18-24 inches size.
Wind the floss correctly round each your center fingers. A lot of the floss must be wound leaving solely 1-2 inches of floss for cleansing the areas between the tooth.
Now, place the floss in between two tooth by holding it taut along with your index fingers and thumbs.
Gently glide the floss up and down in between the tooth, rubbing it in opposition to either side of every tooth.
See that the floss doesn’t contact the gums whereas flossing. This would possibly trigger scratches or bruising of gums.
Instantly when the floss reaches the gums, curve it on the base of the tooth in order to type a ‘C’ form. With this, you’ll take the floss into the area between your gums and tooth.
The identical steps shall be repeated as you progress from tooth to tooth. Ensure that to make use of a brand new, clear part of floss with every tooth.
How a lot time is required to floss the tooth?
One ought to take about 10-Quarter-hour roughly to floss the tooth.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing with braces on shall take extra time than flossing with out them.
Waxed floss shall be chosen for this technique of flossing. There can be much less probabilities that these flosses get torn and caught within the braces.
Waterpik or a floss threader are options for waxed floss in these having braces.
These sporting braces must do the beneath stated (as really useful by American Affiliation of Orthodontists and Mayo Clinic) –
– Stay away from sugar wealthy and starchy meals and drinks since these meals are accountable for formation of plaques
– Brush tooth after each meal
– Rinse the mouth totally
– Use fluoride rinse
– Floss frequently
Excellent instruments for flossing with braces are floss threader, waxed floss, water flosser, these sporting braces and interdental flossing brushes.
Kinds of Dental Floss
There are numerous sorts of dental floss. The kind of floss one makes use of relies on one’s preferences, area in between the tooth and if one is utilizing braces or bridges. Some floss can be utilized simply in wider areas between the tooth. The opposite varieties of floss are simpler for use when there are tighter areas in between the tooth.
Under talked about are the several types of dental floss –
1. Dental tape – is broader, might be useful in these having braces, gaps or giant areas in between the tooth
2. Customary floss – is a skinny, nylon strand, utilized in tooth that are crowded or nearer collectively
3. Tremendous flosses – is a floss threader which might work with braces, bridges and gaps.
– Electrical flosser or water flosser – this makes use of water and stress to take away plaque and meals from in between the tooth. Water flossers can be utilized in these having braces.
– Disposable floss picks – can be utilized to floss the tooth behind the mouth that are tough to achieve
What can occur if one doesn’t floss?
– Plaques together with micro organism in it aren’t eliminated. On this case, these micro organism begin feeding on the sugar and particles of meals which stay in between the tooth after consuming.
– These micro organism which feed on the meals, launch an acid.
– This acid eats away the enamel and causes cavities.
– The unremoved plaque can get hardened into calculus / tartar. This tartar collects on the gumline, ultimately giving rise to gingivitis and gum illness.
When ought to one floss?
One can floss at no matter time is comfy for them to take action. Some folks could choose flossing within the morning and others do it at bedtime. In each circumstances it’s to take care of oral hygiene.
Brush first or floss first?
It may be carried out both method and it’s good so long as one makes positive to wash all tooth totally and apply oral hygiene in a great way, every day. However in accordance with a examine in 2018, it’s higher to floss the tooth first after which brush the tooth than doing the opposite method round i.e. brushing first after which flossing the tooth.
It is because floss lifts the meals particles and plaques caught in between the tooth whereas brushing which is completed after flossing would take away these particles from the mouth. The meals particles and plaque stay within the mouth if one brushes first and floss afterwards. However, brushing a second would enhance fluoride focus in between the tooth. This would scale back the chance of tooth decay by strengthening the enamel.
In accordance with the American Dental Affiliation, one ought to floss not less than as soon as in a day and brush not less than twice a day.
Limitation for flossing
Flossing must be carried out inside limitations. One mustn’t floss an excessive amount of. Making use of an excessive amount of stress whereas flossing or flossing vigorously can injury the gums and tooth. Flossing must be carried out greater than as soon as in a day, particularly after meals.
Instruments wanted for interdental cleansing (options to flossing)
– Waxed / unwaxed dental floss
– Pre-threaded flossers
– Water flossers
– Wood or plastic picks
– Powdered air flossers
– Dental tape
– Tiny flossing brushes or proxy brushes
Any of those could also be used however not with out the opinion of the dentist. It may be personalized as per your like and which you should utilize frequently.
Research – Flossing is related to improved oral well being in older adults
Learn – Efficacy of Flossing and Mouth-rinsing Regimens on Plaque and Gingivitis: A randomized medical trial
Learn – New examine suggests the best sequence for eradicating plaque – Flossing earlier than brushing could scale back dental plaque and assist maximize the advantages of cavity preventing fluoride
Flossing Ayurveda Understanding
There are numerous issues which give attention to the ‘oral well being and hygiene’ which have been defined within the context of ‘dinacharya – every day routine’ however there is no such thing as a routine which instantly factors out in direction of the reason of flossing in Ayurveda.
However after we deeply see in between the traces, the beneath talked about actions of every day routine explains flossing –
– Danta Dhawana – brushing of tooth – Ayurveda has really useful gathering the twigs of the crops / bushes like Nimba – Azadirachta indica (Neem) and many others. and chewing them. We have to bear in mind that there have been no brushes within the olden days. While you chew a twig, the fibres get separated and assume the type of a brush, forming the bristles. These fibres serve the aim of the floss since they enter in between the tooth and cleanse therein. So, Danta Dhawana is ‘two in a single’ – brushing together with flossing strategies.
– Kavala – mouthwash – serves the aim of waterpik or water flossers
Together with achamana – water sipping, jihwa hirlekhana – tongue cleansing / scraping and gandusha – mouth / throat gargle and pratisarana – software of medicinal pastes within the oral cavity – danta dhawana and kavala contribute in direction of complete oral well being care protocol as an element and parcel of every day routine.
