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flossing: oral b humming bird

Hello,

My dentist told me I need to start flossing. I have no clue where to start!

I went to the chemist and there were a variety of flossing instruments!

There was floss, interdental brushes, tepe brushes and something called the Humming bird by Oral B. It is a power flosser and pick. Needless to say, I bought the more modern instrument; the humming bird.

Shall I take it back and just get interdental brushes?

Another question, if I have gum disease and gaps in my teeth, won't flossing and pushing brushes in between the gaps make it worse?

Excuse my naivety!
Slimming world member since 18 January 2010
Current weight = 194 lbs
First goal = 168 lbs by 3 May 2010
Progress = 0/26 lbs
Second goal = 154 lbs by 21 June 2010
Final goal = 133 lbs by 27 September 2010

Comments

  • Teerah
    Teerah Posts: 1,794 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Your dentist should have given you guidance on which is the best product for yourself to use and shown you how to use it. They all have differnet indicators for use, what suits one person wont necessarily suit another so you need guidance from someone who knows you and your teeth.
    Flossing and interdental brushes will not harm your gums as long as you are doing it correctly.
  • foi1983
    foi1983 Posts: 111 Forumite
    Thanks Teerah,

    She just said that I should floss. I think she will go into more depth once I start my treatment next week.
    Slimming world member since 18 January 2010
    Current weight = 194 lbs
    First goal = 168 lbs by 3 May 2010
    Progress = 0/26 lbs
    Second goal = 154 lbs by 21 June 2010
    Final goal = 133 lbs by 27 September 2010
  • I bought 2 of the humming bird flossers, 1 for myself & a partner. He loved it - I hated mine. Found it very difficult to get between my teeth & prefered manually flossing using regular dental floss of my own choice - much cheaper too!
  • timestar
    timestar Posts: 210 Forumite
    Be guided by your dentist/hygienist in terms of what is best for you. Flossing by hand takes practice and it certainly helps doing it in front of a mirror! Just don't be too vigorous and so end up "sawing" down your gums. Waxed floss is not as harsh, or waxed rubber-type strips. Inter-dental brushes should be used WITH flossing to ensure a full clean.
  • foi1983
    foi1983 Posts: 111 Forumite
    Gosh. There is so much that I just don't know about oral hygiene (I say as I hang my head in shame):confused:

    I will speak to my dentist about it but in the mean time will buy normal dental floss AND interdental brushes. I will take back the humming bird.
    Slimming world member since 18 January 2010
    Current weight = 194 lbs
    First goal = 168 lbs by 3 May 2010
    Progress = 0/26 lbs
    Second goal = 154 lbs by 21 June 2010
    Final goal = 133 lbs by 27 September 2010
This discussion has been closed.
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