Question 1

is rinsing just as good as flossing?

Accepted Answer

No: Rinsing will clean the interproxial portion of your teeth, the only way to effectvely clean this area is with dental floss.

Question 2

what problems can occur if i floss too deeply?

Accepted Answer

Bleeding, receding: Bleeding, for one. But if you make a habit of flossing to deeply then over time you could cause your gums to recede between your teeth.

Question 3

what are the benefits of using floss every day?

Accepted Answer

Plaque removal: Your tooth brush physically can not get all the way between your teeth.  Flossing will get the areas that the brush can't preventing plaque and calculus (tartar) build up which if left would cause tooth decay gingivitis and possibly periodontal desease, recession and tooth loss.  See your dentist or hygienist for more info.

Question 4

does aggressive flossing cause gum loss?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Aggressive brushing and flossing can damage the thin gum tissue causing it to break down. The improper mechanical use of the toothbrush is a key cause for gum recession.
 Increased pressure on the toothbrush or dental floss will only harm gingival tissue without increasing the cleaning action of brushing or flossing.

Question 5

i cut my gum with floss. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Gentle: Continue proper home care, brushing and flossing carefully.  Salt rinses can also help.  Stay away from harsh mouth rinses for at least a week.  If it is not severe, it will typically heal on its own.

Question 6

is a water flosser better than regular flossing?

Accepted Answer

No: The sticky plaque that flossing removes is tenacious and involves physical removal.  Floss is the most effective way to scrape the plaque off your teeth in tight spaces.  A water pick or flosser can help remove larger  food particles from your teeth and might help reduce bleeding and gum disease but it isn't considered a substitute for brushing and flossing.

Question 7

would an ordinary cotton line be used like floss?

Accepted Answer

No: There are so many different types of floss on the market so as the saying goes there is nothing like the real things.

Question 8

should i use a waterpik before or after flossing?

Accepted Answer

Your choice: I love my waterpik. For me it is a game, I do the best job i can with a brush and floss then use the waterpik. What floats out, would have been left in my teeth if i had not used the waterpik. You may be loosening things up with the floss that the waterpik gets out. But i don't think the order matters that much.

Question 9

is meat floss nutricious? my kid loves it very much.

Accepted Answer

Meat floss: A little investigation reveals that meat floss/Rousong (made from pork, beef, chicken) is a dried meat product used as a topping/filling/snack food in Chinese cuisine. It is made by stewing cuts of pork in a sweetened soy sauce until the collagen that hold fibers together converts to gelatin. Then dried, mashed and beaten during wok cooking. Not particularly nutritious...meat with sugar added;)

Question 10

which is better for cleaning-- waterpik or flossing?

Accepted Answer

Flossing: While waterpiks are good and do a decent job, nothing is better than flossing when it comes to cleaning between the teeth.  That physical contact disrupts all the bacteria and stops them from building up.

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Doctor answers about:

Flossing pleasure

A member asked:

Is rinsing just as good as flossing?

A member asked:

What problems can occur if i floss too deeply?

A member asked:

What are the benefits of using floss every day?

A member asked:

Does aggressive flossing cause gum loss?

A member asked:

I cut my gum with floss. what should i do?

A member asked:

Is a water flosser better than regular flossing?

A member asked:

Would an ordinary cotton line be used like floss?

A member asked:

Should i use a waterpik before or after flossing?

A member asked:

Is meat floss nutricious? my kid loves it very much.

A member asked:

Which is better for cleaning-- waterpik or flossing?

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