On TikTok, the content creator “Dra Daniela”, a specialist in dentistry, recently made a surprising post. In close-up this shows how to floss your teeth in addition to brushing. But the use it makes of it, by going “into” the gum, seems a little extreme. What is the right gesture? We asked Dr. Jeremy Amzalag, dental surgeon, the question.
Dental floss, a treatment that is not incidental
Let us first of all remember that flossing is not incidental, but complements brushing. In fact, the toothbrush will not allow you to reach the interdental spaces. But the bacteria which lodge in these spaces, by stagnating, can create inflammation and bleeding in the gums.This is called gingivitis. warns Dr. Jeremy Amzalag
In the long term, and without action on your part, this inflammation spreads.”no longer just to the gum, but also to the bone. And that creates what we call loosening, periodontitis.”
To avoid this, dentists recommend two tools: dental floss, on the front teeth, in narrower spaces, and brushes on the side and back teeth.
Down to the gums: is the action the right one?
But should we press and stretch this wire into the gum as the young dentist shows? Yes, according to our expert.
“The objective with dental floss is to pass the point of contact between the teeth. You have to imagine that the dental floss, once you pass at the level of the gum, must surround the tooth to dislodge the food and bacteria which are between the gum and the tooth.” At each pass it is therefore necessary to gird the left tooth, then the right tooth in a fairly strong gesture.
Are you worried about injury and bleeding? It’s not impossible, but not for the reasons you might think:
“Patients often complain of bleeding when they floss or brush their teeth, in fact. These are not caused by the passage of the brush or floss, but because there is pre-existing inflammation. The more regularly we floss, the less we have this bleeding” assures the dentist.
A gesture to be completed according to the expert with a mouthwash, but without alcohol, so as not to dry out the mucous membranes.
