These are the most common mistakes when using dental floss in your oral hygiene

• Smiles Invisalign fever and Spark aligners in adulthood

• Instagram Aesthetic touch-ups at 20: dangers of looking like filters

They are for life, hence taking

of them is the best possible investment, both in time and in their care for our health.

However, we do not always give our

the importance they deserve and we carry out incomplete

, as if it were a pure formality after eating.

DO NOT USE IT

This is demonstrated by a study by the General Council of Dentists of Spain, where

.

Much of the population thinks, in fact, that brushing your teeth twice a day is enough to keep your smile.

But this is not the case, asserts Dr. Eugenia Cervantes, with a clinic of the same name: "In the first instance, the bacteria form

and become tartar. The initial consequences are

that form between the teeth, bad breath and bleeding gums ".

Then the problem progresses and

arrives : "Gingivitis, which causes irritation, redness and swelling, and periodontitis, even destroying the bone of the teeth."

Therefore, the first basic error is simply not to use dental floss or interdental brushes that can reduce the amount of bacteria and, therefore, plaque that accumulates between the teeth every day.

Despite the fact that we brush our teeth well, there are always remains of interdental plaque.Shutterstock

PASS THE SAME THREAD

Every day we brush our teeth.

However, such an intuitive habit, which is hardly even thought about, is full of failures, such as pressing too much, wearing down the enamel, or incorrectly, without going through all the areas.

For Cervantes, we would go a long way in dental health by using dental floss once a day for each tooth: "With patience and dedication, accompanied by a good brushing. It is advisable to use a new portion for each space. Simply to

between piece and piece."

Dr. Abdul Nasimi, with a clinic in Alcorcón (Madrid), agrees with this observation.

"Poor dental hygiene is very common. Some patients wash three times a day but do not brush their teeth well and that leads to gum problems. For good use of dental floss, the strip should be at least

and spend it embracing the tooth, not exerting force and traumatizing the gum with the blows", he points out.

In addition, by rolling the next section around the fingers, we will avoid passing the dirt to another tooth or tooth.

BEFORE BRUSHING

View this post on Instagram

Should dental floss be used before or after brushing?

Some people think that the correct order is before to remove the remains of food and then to finish brushing the surface.

Others, on the other hand, believe that leaving the tightest points for the dental floss after brushing removes what remains.

"It is not enough just to pass it from top to bottom. You have to try movements from the inside out, from one side to the other and around the tooth and the molars. The objective is

between the tooth and gum, but without exerting pressure on the latter," says Cervantes.

Many of their gums bleed and for fear of this they stop using it, when it is advisable to insist until it is done correctly, explains the dentist.

"I've seen some debates about the number of times. Once a day is enough."

For example, at the end before sleeping.

"But I recommend always carrying floss or an interproximal brush to remove any food that the brush can't and get stuck and uncomfortable throughout the day," she says.

Brushing first and then flossing can

that are removed from teeth after flossing, and those debris can stay in your mouth until you brush again, the doctors slide.

Hence, it is important to leave it for the final brushing of the day.

THREAD TYPE

Do not get carried away by the first product that appears in an advertisement or the one that a friend or family member recommends, adds Cervantes.

"You have to use dental floss and interdental brushes according to

. It is not the same to have aligned teeth than to have crowding or gaps."

The ideal, according to the specialist, is to always go to the consultation so that the professional can show you step by step how to use it gently and correctly, adapting to your needs and tastes.

What is clear, both doctors insist, is that having interdental hygiene is not negotiable.

"The toothbrush is not enough and even less if you do not use the correct technique. You must always carry dental floss or interdental brushes with you because it has been proven that they eliminate between

of dental plaque. In addition, each time there is talk of the relationship between oral health with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases if they are not prevented in time", advises Cervantes.

Is an

convenient ?

It is not essential, the dentists conclude.

"There are patients who don't need it."

It is usually used because of the belief that it reaches areas where the brush cannot reach or because of the feeling that our dental hygiene is more complete.

"Mouthwashes for specific post-surgical, periodontal, bad breath, or sensitivity treatments are key if the dentist considers it. But be careful with chlorhexidine mouthwashes. They should only be used for the time recommended by your dentist," recommends Dr. Pese to its usefulness, stains may appear on the teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

Compiling the information and advice of the doctors, we can conclude the following recommendations:

• Floss daily

  , at least once a day.

• Do not press the thread against the teeth, but

  hug its walls

  with different movements.

• Do not pass the same

  dental floss through different teeth.

  Cut at least 12 inches to make sure you won't slide the board from one to the other.

• Accompany the use of the thread with

  a good brushing

  , taking your time.

• Proper interdental hygiene

  prevents gum problems

  , even if they bleed at first.

  Consult your dentist if this is your case to show you how to use it in a more correct way.

  In the case of a family history of gum problems, its use is even more convenient.

• Do not get carried away by fashions and use

  dental floss

  that suits the needs of your teeth.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more