GROWING up in Zimbabwe, I witnessed much pride we take in our warm, welcoming smiles.
However, I also saw the pain and problems that can hide behind them.
When it comes to taking care of our teeth, there is a gap in our knowledge that needs to be filled.
If we were to collect data on how many people incorporate floss into their daily routine, the number would not just be low, it would be a startling revelation of a missed fundamental.
Many, heartbreakingly, are still unaware of what dental floss is.
It is, indeed, a challenge because we cannot have a healthy country if we do not know how exactly to improve our own oral health as individuals.
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The question is how can we improve our oral health as a nation?
It is known that education is the key to success, but is it enough?
Education without practical means to implement is an empty lecture.
We need to both teach people about flossing and help them get started.
There is an urgent need to not only inform, but to equip to follow lessons on oral care with simple, powerful provision of floss and patient coaching on its use with the help of dental professionals (dentists, dental therapists, dental assistants).
Many of us brush our teeth, and that’s a great start.
However, did you know that brushing alone only removes about 43% of the sticky plaque on your teeth?
That means 57% of the pathogenic plaque is left behind.
Brushing does not clean between your teeth at all nomatter how much you try to squeeze in the toothbrush bristles.
That is where flossing comes in.
Flossing help to clean and reach those hidden spaces that a toothbrush can never reach, preventing cavities and gum disease before they even start.
How to floss?
The good news is that flossing is quick and simple.
Here is the basic way to do it with string floss:
- Take a length: Pull out about as much floss as the distance from your hand to your elbow (about 45 cm). Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, and a little around the same finger on the other hand.
- Hold it tight: Use your thumbs and index fingers to guide a short, tight section (about 2cm-3cm).
- Slide gently: Gently slide the floss between two teeth. Don’t snap it down, as this can hurt your gums.
- Make a “C” shape: Once between the teeth, curve the floss into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently rub the floss up and down the side of the tooth, going slightly under the gumline.
- Clean the other side: Now, curve the floss around the neighbouring tooth in the same gap and clean its side too.
- Use a clean section: As you move to the next set of teeth, unwind fresh floss from one finger and wind the used floss onto the other.
Repeat this for all your teeth, including the wisdom teeth and bigger molars at the back.
Flossing is not only for the front teeth.
When you are flossing, remember that you are only flossing the teeth that you want to keep, hence think about how many teeth you want to loose as well.
If your gums bleed a little at first during flossing, do not be alarmed.
This often happens if your gums are inflamed from plaque.
If you floss gently every day, the bleeding should stop in a week or so as your gums become healthier.
Be gentle when flossing, there is no need to be harsh or to try and rush the process.
Always try to floss in the evening when you have a lot of time on your hands so that you do it diligently and thoroughly.
Flossing is for everyone: Find your best tool
Some people find string floss tricky.
Maybe you have large hands, braces, or just find it uncomfortable.
The fantastic news is that there are many ways to floss, so everyone can find a method that works for them.
Therefore, there is no excuse to not floss.
- String floss: This is the classic method described above. It’s effective and inexpensive, but it requires some manual skill.
- Floss picks: These are small plastic handles with a piece of floss stretched across. They are much easier to hold and great for reaching back teeth. They are perfect for beginners, children, or people who are always on the go.
- Interdental brushes: These look like tiny bottle brushes. You simply push the small brush gently between your teeth. They are excellent for people with wider gaps between their teeth, or for cleaning around braces and bridges. Many people find them easier and more pleasant to use than string floss.
- Water flosser: This is a modern tool that uses a pressurised stream of water to clean between teeth and under gums.
It is like a power washer for your mouth!
It is very gentle on gums, great for people with braces, implants, or bridges, and feels refreshing.
Studies show it can remove up to 99,9% of plaque from the areas it treats.
For many, it is the most comfortable and effective method, making them more likely to floss every day.
The most important rule is this: The best type of floss is the one you will actually use, whether it is a simple string, a quick pick, a small brush, or a water jet, what matters is that you do it.
To make real change, we must work together as a nation.
To parents and teachers: Teach your children to floss when you teach them to brush. Make it a normal part of the day, like washing hands.
To community leaders and health workers: Let us bring practical lessons to every clinic, school, and community hall. Do not just just talk about it show people how to to it. A live demonstration with a model teeth set is worth a lot, that inestment can change our lives for the better.
To businesses and organisations: Supporting oral health is a powerful way to give back. Sponsoring floss drives, donating water flossers to clinics, or including floss in company wellness packs are simple actions with a huge impact.
Our smile is one of our greatest assets.
It shows our joy, our warmth, and our spirit.
Let us protect it completely by adding just two minutes of flossing to our daily routine, we can prevent pain, save money on dental treatments, and build a foundation of health that lasts a lifetime.