Plaque removal by dental floss or toothpicks

Abstract

The amount of plaque accumulation was assessed in an intraindividual study comprising 10 individuals. During different 2-week periods, the test subjects used nylon floss (unwaxed, waxed and specially treated), silk floss (unwaxed and waxed), Superfloss or triangular toothpicks for interdental tooth cleaning. Only teeth in contact with neighboring ones and with open interdental spaces were included in the study. The plaque removal of the interdental aids used was registered by estimating the amount of plaque present at the end of each experimental period according to a Plaque Index (Silness & Löe 1964) modified for plaque registration on 10 surface units around each tooth. In general, dental floss had a higher plaque removing potential than triangular toothpicks, especially on lingual axial surfaces.

Factors associated with self-reported halitosis in Kuwaiti patients

“…Interdental cleaning methods, including dental floss, have been shown important in the treatment of oral malodor. [26][27][28] Of all the medical history conditions included in this survey, only gastrointestinal tract disorders and chronic sinusitis were significantly associated with self-reported oral malodor in regression analysis (Table 5). Although gastrointestinal tract disorders have been proposed as possible nonoral causes of bad breath, and potentially associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, 29-31 the majority of evidence suggests no direct associations.…”

Bacteraemia due to dental flossing

“…The researchers in another study instructed their subjects to pull the floss back and forth five times against each of the interproximal surfaces (Gjermo & Flotra 1970). In a study evaluating the plaque removing abilities of different types of floss, the researchers had the subjects floss their own teeth (Bergenholtz and Brithon 1980). A flossing technique was used whereby the floss was moved carefully from the facial to the lingual surface.…”

Antimicrobial effects of mechanical debridement

“…Among the many factors with a potential influence on the effectiveness of interdental hygiene are the type of cleaning device used and the interdental anatomy (47, 106). Both waxed and unwaxed dental floss may be effective in narrow interdental spaces or the interproximal area, while dental tape, wooden sticks or interdental brushes have been shown to be more effective in wider interdental spaces (25, 42, 73). Interdental cleaning with interdental brushes was shown to extend to 2.5 mm below the gingival margin, while interdental floss may penetrate to a depth of up to 3.5 mm (193, 196) (Fig.…”