Breaking Down Flossing: A 3 Part Series #2

Breaking Down Flossing: a 3 Part Series #2 By Mina Levi, DDS, 04/30/2015 In the dental office of Mina Levi, DDS, we highly recommend brushing twice per day and flossing at least once per day. We recommend a variety of products, including Listerine’s woven or “Gum Care” floss and the Waterpik water flosser. It can be unclear to many people what exactly each type of flossing is and the pros and cons of all of them, so in this 3-series article,Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS breaks down three flossing options: traditional dental floss, the Waterpik water flosser, and the Phillip’s airfloss flosser. Week 2: Waterpik What is it? A Waterpik is a device that shoots pulses of water in between the teeth and below the gum line to remove plaque and bacteria. How do I use it? Fill container with warm water and place at the setting desired. Aim the tip of the waterpik between the teeth. Start with the back teeth and work your way forward, making sure the water pulses are reaching the pockets between the tooth and the gum as well as the spaces between the teeth. Pros: 1.  Gentle on the gums 2.  Ideal for people who wear braces because it can penetrate the gums under the wires 3.  Effective in flushing bacteria out of deep pockets 4.  Can be used by those with limited hand mobility Cons: 1. More expensive than floss 2. Can be messy 3. It has to be plugged in Next week we will profile the Phillips Air Floss. If you have questions about flossing or water flossing, visit San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066. Topics: Dentist San Francisco, water flosser, waterpik, flossing, floss, dental floss, dental waterpik, water between the teeth, periodontitis, gingivitis, regular flossing, regular water flossing,gum disease, using water to floss, water, oral health, floss replacement, supplemental flossing, healthy gums, recommend waterpik, dental recommendations, brushing, toothbrushing

Breaking Down Flossing: a 3 Part Series

Breaking Down Flossing: a 3 Part Series

By Mina Levi, DDS, 04/23/2015

In the dental office of Mina Levi, DDS, we highly recommend brushing twice per day and flossing at least once per day. We recommend a variety of products, including Listerine’s woven or “Gum Care” floss and the Waterpik water flosser. It can be unclear to many people what exactly each type of flossing is and the pros and cons of all of them, so in this 3-series article, Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS breaks down three flossing options: traditional dental floss, the Waterpik water flosser, and the Phillip’s airfloss flosser.

Week 1: Traditional Floss

What is it?

Dental floss is a thin cord that is used to remove food, plaque and bacteria from in between the teeth, where the bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach.

How do I use it?

Remove a good length of floss from floss holder. When flossing correctly, the floss needs to be pushed through the teeth and pressure put on one side (pressing against one of the teeth) and into the gums, then to the other side (pressing against the other tooth) and into the gums. It is very important when you are flossing to make sure that your floss reaches down below the gum line. There is plaque and bacteria that can accumulate in the periodontal pocket (space between the tooth and gum) and can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis if it is not removed.

Pros:

1.  Inexpensive

2.  Effective in cleaning tight spaces between teeth

3.  Effective in removing plaque from teeth due to scraping up and down the sides of each tooth

Cons:

1.  Can be irritating for people with sensitive gums

2.  Can’t be used by people who have braces without a threader

3.  Inconvenient to use, takes a “long” time to correctly clean between each tooth

Next week we will profile the Waterpik waterflosser. If you have questions about flossing or a water flosser, visit San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: San Francisco Dentist, dental floss, floss, flosser, flossing, what is flossing, what is floss, waterflosser, waterpik, airfloss

Water Flosser vs Regular Floss

Water Flosser vs Regular Floss

By Mina Levi, DDS, 10/23/2014

If there is one thing that most people have in common, it is that they are not as good at flossing as they should be, or flossing is a hassle for them. For those of us who have a hard time flossing regularly, there may be a supplemental method available to help fight gingivitis and oral bacteria that collects when we don’t floss, called a water flosser or Waterpik. San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi, DDS has outlined some information about the water flosser as well as some pros and cons of flossing vs. the water flosser in the article below.

What is a Waterpik?

A Waterpik is a device that shoots pulses of water in between the teeth and below the gum line to remove plaque and bacteria.

Floss

Pros:

1.       Inexpensive

2.       Effective in cleaning tight spaces between teeth

3.       Effective in removing plaque from teeth due to scraping up and down the sides of each tooth

Cons:

1.       Can be irritating for people with sensitive gums

2.       Can’t be used by people who have braces without a threader

How to use:

Remove a good length of floss from floss holder. When flossing correctly, the floss needs to be pushed through the teeth and pressure put on one side (pressing against one of the teeth) and into the gums, then to the other side (pressing against the other tooth) and into the gums. It is very important when you are flossing to make sure that your floss reaches down below the gum line. There is plaque and bacteria that can accumulate in the periodontal pocket (space between the tooth and gum) and can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis if it is not removed.

Waterpik

Pros:

1.       Gentle on the gums

2.       Ideal for people who wear braces because it can penetrate the gums under the wires

3.       Effective in flushing bacteria out of deep pockets

4.       Can be used by those with limited hand mobility

Cons:

1.       Not as effective in removing plaque from tooth surfaces than floss

How to use:

Fill container with warm water and place at the setting desired. Aim the tip of the waterpik between the teeth. Start with the back teeth and work your way forward, making sure the water pulses are reaching the pockets between the tooth and the gum as well as the spaces between the teeth.

Dr. Levi does not recommend that the waterpik is used as a replacement for floss, but is used supplementary to regular flossing to ensure the optimal health of the gums. For more information about water flossing, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: Dentist San Francisco, water flosser, waterpik, flossing, floss, dental floss, dental waterpik, water between the teeth, periodontitis, gingivitis, regular flossing, regular water flossing, gum disease, using water to floss, water, oral health, floss replacement, supplemental flossing, healthy gums, recommend waterpik, dental recommendations, brushing, toothbrushing