Flossing
Flossing
Flossing (/ˈflɔːsɪŋ/) is a method of cleaning between the teeth using a thin filament, usually made of plastic or nylon, known as dental floss.
Etymology
The term "flossing" originates from the 18th century, derived from the French word 'fil', meaning thread, and the Old English 'flos', meaning to cleanse.
Description
Flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene. It is recommended by dentists to be done at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing can help prevent gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay.
Types of Floss
There are two main types of dental floss:
- Nylon Floss - This is the most common type of floss, made of multiple strands of nylon. It can be waxed or unwaxed and comes in a variety of flavors.
- PTFE Floss - This is a monofilament floss made from a type of plastic (Polytetrafluoroethylene). It slides more easily between the teeth and is less likely to shred compared to nylon floss.
Related Terms
- Interdental Brushes - These are small brushes specifically designed to clean between your teeth where regular toothbrushes can't reach.
- Water Flossing - Also known as water picking, this is a method of cleaning between teeth using a water flosser, a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses.
- Oral Hygiene - This is the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Flossing
- Wikipedia's article - Flossing
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski