Tag Archives: dental floss

How Interdental Brushes Affect Teeth

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Supplemental plaque removal measures beyond tooth brushing are necessary in order to thoroughly remove plaque. Although toothbrushing can be effective at removing the plaque residing on sides of teeth, it is generally ineffective for surfaces in between teeth.

There are numerous sites and conditions inside the mouth better served by plaque removal methods and devices other than toothbrushing. Examples of these sites include fixed prostheses, crown margins, in between roots of multi-rooted teeth, orthodontic appliances, the tongue, implants, and dentures. Continue reading →

Flossing Alternatives: Inter-dental Devices Part 2

Continued from Part 1

Interdental and Uni-tufted Brushes

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Small inter-dental (between teeth or inter-proximal) brushes which are attached to a handle come in a variety of designs. Some of the designs have a non-replaceable brush whereby the entire device is discarded when the brush is worn.

Interdental brushes can be utilized to clean spaces between teeth and around exposed root areas, orthodontic bands, and fixed prosthetic appliances with spaces that are large enough to easily receive the device. They may also be used to apply chemotherapeutic agents into areas between teeth as well as exposed molar roots. Foam tips initially developed for use with implants are an ideal mechanism for delivery of medicaments. Continue reading →

Flossing Basics Part 2

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Proper instruction and practice allows most motivated adults to master either the spool or loop method of flossing. In certain circumstances, the use of a floss holder, floss threader, variable-thickness floss, or pre-cut floss strands with a stiff end may be more effective. Continue reading →

How to Remove a Stuck Ring With Dental Floss

It’s summertime, which means that hands swell and rings get stuck on them. Don’t panic, and don’t rush to cut it off either. There are some simple things you can do to remove it safely.

First, try to place your index finger gently on the stuck ring, and thumb under, then start twisting the ring gently back and forth, while slowly pulling the ring out. Make sure that you don’t pull and tug too much. It could cause additional swelling and make it even harder to remove the ring. Continue reading →