2020-04-01 Reader\'s Digest AUNZ

READER’S DIGEST

Ways You’re

Flossing

All Wrong

HEALTH

FLOSSINGseemstohelpprevent
gum disease,andresearchershave
linked thebacteriathatridealong
with periodontitis(theofficialname
for gum disease)toanincreasedrisk
of stroke,heartdisease,somecancers,
and evenAlzheimer’sdisease.

YOU’RENOTFLOSSINGENOUGH
“My preferenceistwicea day,”says
dentist ChrisStrandburg.“Whenit
comes tooralhygiene,bacteriaare
the enemy,”heexplains.Sinceweeat
three timesa day,we’reconstantly
adding debrisandbacteriatothe
spaces betweenourteethandgums,
so removingthosethreatsfrequently
will keepyourmouthhealthier.

YOU’RENOTFLOSSINGATTHE
RIGHT TIMEFlossingisanintegral
part of oralhygienebecause
brushingdoesnotremoveall
particlesoffoodandplaqueonits PHOTO; GET T Y IMAGES; SOURCE: RD.COM

BY Liesa Goins

own,saysdentalprofessorDrElliott

Maser.“Salivaflowdecreases

whenonesleeps,sofoodmaterial

left on the teeth overnight have a

great chance of starting a bacterial

breakdown process or causing gum

inflammation,” he explains. For that

reason, you should make sure you

floss before bed to remove bacteria

and food particles.

YOU’RE NOT FLOSSING THE

WHOLE TOOTH You have to wrap the

side surface of the tooth with the floss

and use the strand as a tool to clean

the entire area, not just between the

teeth, Dr Strandburg explains. You’ll

want to contour the floss around the

tooth in a C shape and slide it up and

down, making sure you rub the back

of the tooth as well. “The string should

also be carried below the gumline

two to three millimetres to remove

bacteria,” he says.

wn says dental professor Dr Elliott

22 april 2020