Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Brushing the enamel is part and parcel of our each day routine. It’s not solely important to brush, but additionally to brush methodically and comply with the etiquettes of brushing the enamel 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 enamel problems in the long term. So, it must be a holistic and complete follow moderately than a formality executed unconsciously or in a semi-awaken state.
Within the timeline of evolution, the strategies and supplies have modified, however the follow of brushing is handed on.
Ayurveda has not solely defined ‘danta dhavana’ vis-à -vis ‘brushing of enamel’ however has additionally custom-made the toothbrushes based on one’s prakriti and want. 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 enamel?
All of us brush. We may additionally assume that we have now brushed correctly. However we’re not positive how far and the way higher we have now reached these small areas between the enamel and removed the meals particles or dust sitting therein. Cleansing in between the enamel could be very a lot important for optimum and complete oral well being.
Flossing is a technique of cleansing ‘in between the enamel’ 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 enamel. It removes meals and dental plaque current in between the enamel. Floss reaches all these locations the place a toothbrush can not attain. It’s a necessary 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 enamel. Based on the American Dental Affiliation, flossing removes about 80% plaques and in addition advantages these with orthodontic gadgets. Nevertheless, there’s restricted scientific proof to point out the medical advantages of flossing as an adjunct to common tooth brushing.
What number of instances ought to one floss?
It is suggested to be executed at the least as soon as each day. It may be executed both earlier than or after brushing. Flossing will assist the toothpaste to succeed in in between the enamel.
What does flossing do?
Flossing cleans the areas in between the enamel, removes the meals particles caught therein. This in flip reduces the variety of micro organism and plaque within the mouth. If the meals particles usually are not dislodged by common flossing, it could appeal to micro organism and therefore an infection. Plaques then again, if not eliminated on occasion, contribute to cavities and gum illnesses.
Improper flossing may cause potential injury to the enamel and gums. So, figuring out the right means of flossing is vital.
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. Many of the floss ought to be wound leaving solely 1-2 inches of floss for cleansing the areas between the enamel.
Now, place the floss in between two enamel by holding it taut together with your index fingers and thumbs.
Gently glide the floss up and down in between the enamel, 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 kind 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. Be certain to make use of a brand new, clear part of floss with every tooth.
How a lot time is required to floss the enamel?
One ought to take about 10-Quarter-hour roughly to floss the enamel.
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 might be much less possibilities 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 mentioned (as really useful by American Affiliation of Orthodontists and Mayo Clinic) –
–     Avoid sugar wealthy and starchy meals and drinks since these meals are liable for formation of plaques
–     Brush enamel after each meal
–     Rinse the mouth totally
–     Use fluoride rinse
–     Floss usually
Excellent instruments for flossing with braces are floss threader, waxed floss, water flosser, these sporting braces and interdental flossing brushes.
Sorts of Dental Floss
There are various sorts of dental floss. The kind of floss one makes use of depends upon one’s preferences, area in between the enamel and if one is utilizing braces or bridges. Some floss can be utilized simply in wider areas between the enamel. The opposite varieties of floss are simpler for use when there are tighter areas in between the enamel.
Beneath talked about are the several types of dental floss –
1.  Dental tape – is broader, could be useful in these having braces, gaps or massive areas in between the enamel
2.  Customary floss – is a skinny, nylon strand, utilized in enamel that are crowded or nearer collectively
3.  Tremendous flosses – is a floss threader which may work with braces, bridges and gaps.
–     Electrical flosser or water flosser – this makes use of water and strain to take away plaque and meals from in between the enamel. Water flossers will also be utilized in these having braces.
–     Disposable floss picks – can be utilized to floss the enamel behind the mouth that are tough to succeed in
What can occur if one doesn’t floss?
–     Plaques together with micro organism in it usually are not eliminated. On this case, these micro organism begin feeding on the sugar and particles of meals which stay in between the enamel 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, finally giving rise to gingivitis and gum illness.
When ought to one floss?
One can floss at no matter time is snug for them to take action. Some folks might want 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 executed both means and it’s good so long as one makes positive to wash all enamel totally and follow oral hygiene in a great way, every day. However based on a research in 2018, it’s higher to floss the enamel first after which brush the enamel than doing the opposite means round i.e. brushing first after which flossing the enamel.
It’s because floss lifts the meals particles and plaques caught in between the enamel whereas brushing which is finished 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 improve fluoride focus in between the enamel. This would scale back the danger of tooth decay by strengthening the enamel.
Based on the American Dental Affiliation, one ought to floss at the least as soon as in a day and brush at the least twice a day.
Limitation for flossing
Flossing ought to be executed inside limitations. One shouldn’t floss an excessive amount of. Making use of an excessive amount of strain whereas flossing or flossing vigorously can injury the gums and enamel. Flossing must be executed 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 custom-made as per your like and which you need to use usually.
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 research suggests the perfect sequence for eradicating plaque – Flossing earlier than brushing might scale back dental plaque and assist maximize the advantages of cavity preventing fluoride
Flossing Ayurveda Understanding
There are various issues which give attention to the ‘oral well being and hygiene’ which have been defined within the context of ‘dinacharya – each day routine’ however there isn’t a routine which straight factors out in the direction of the reason of flossing in Ayurveda.
However once we deeply see in between the traces, the beneath talked about actions of each day routine explains flossing –
–     Danta Dhawana – brushing of enamel – Ayurveda has really useful gathering the twigs of the vegetation / timber 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. Once 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 enamel 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 – utility of medicinal pastes within the oral cavity – danta dhawana and kavala contribute in the direction of complete oral well being care protocol as a component and parcel of each day routine.Â
