The Ideal Amount of Dental Floss for Optimal Oral Hygiene
When it comes to dental care, using the correct amount of dental floss is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Many people wonder how much floss to use at a time to achieve the best results. In this article, we will discuss the recommended length of dental floss, the importance of using fresh floss for each tooth, and provide tips on flossing techniques to ensure thorough cleaning.
How Much Dental Floss Should You Use?
Typically, you should use about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) of dental floss at a time. This length is ideal because it allows you to wrap the ends around your fingers for better grip and control. Having enough floss ensures that you can effectively clean between your teeth without transferring plaque and bacteria.
For most people, a piece of floss measuring about 18 inches or roughly the length of your arm is a good starting point. However, if you have braces or dental work, you might need slightly more floss to navigate those tight spaces thoroughly. The American Dental Hygienists Association recommends 18 inches as the ideal length, which provides enough room to wrap it firmly around your fingers and to use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
Proper Flossing Technique
To ensure you use the right amount of dental floss for each interdental gap, you can measure the correct length using a standard measurement technique:
Use a meter tape to calculate the 15 feet (about 18 inches) of length for your floss.
Wind a bit of the floss thread over your left index finger and then place a bit over the other. This will help you remember the distance between your hands.
Thread a bit of the floss between the first interdental gap and press it against one of the teeth, typically the left tooth.
Go forward a bit to clean that respective surface, and the length can be around the phalanx of your index finger.
Press the floss against the other tooth and do the same. Thus, the length of the floss per each interdental gap should be around 2 phalanxes of your index finger.
This technique helps you ration the floss length effectively to ensure thorough cleaning of each tooth.
Additional Tips for Effective Flossing
Combining your flossing routine with the use of a water flosser like Instafloss can significantly improve your oral hygiene. Water flossers are powerful tools that can break up and remove small pieces of food that might hide away under your gums after eating. They work well in conjunction with dental floss to eliminate plaque and bacteria more effectively.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some people may wonder about the need to lubricate the floss before use. It is important to avoid adding any lubrication because it can cause the floss to swoosh over the tooth surface and fail to effectively scrape plaque away. Using uncovered floss ensures that it can gently clean along the gum line.
Finally, if you hate flossing or find it daunting, it's important to understand that flossing does not cause bleeding gums unless you already have extremely inflamed gums. Flossing helps remove bacteria, which can cause inflammation and bleeding. Consider using an eco-friendly floss to make the process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
By following these guidelines and techniques, you can achieve optimal oral hygiene and maintain a healthy smile.