bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

According to the government's 2001 Oral Health Survey, only slightly more than 10 per cent of adults flossed their teeth on a daily basis. The majority of respondents 'didn't know  how' or 'didn't want to take the time' to floss.
The importance of flossing
If you want your teeth to last into old age, you only need to floss them. Not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss  in adults. 
According to dental experts, brushing without flossing is like washing only 65 per cent of your body. Flossing in between your teeth and under the gum line removes food residue and plaque in places our toothbrush simply can't reach. 
Brushing and flossing reduces the amount of bacteria that live inside our mouths. These bugs feed off bits of leftover food on our teeth and produce acid which attacks the tooth enamel and eventually causes 'cavities' or holes in our teeth. 
The bacteria are usually found in plaque, which is a mixture of mucus and food debris. Plaque eventually hardens to form a substance called tartar which can't be removed by flossing or ordinary tooth brushing  and has to be removed by  your dentist. 
What's worse is that levels of harmful bacteria will eventually build up to high levels within tartar, forming toxins that will cause your gums to become irritated and inflamed. This condition is called gingivitis, and if you leave it untreated, it can lead to periodontal disease which can lead to bone loss, loose teeth and tooth loss.
Floss lessons
Floss your teeth at least once a day. You can do it before you go to bed, but make sure you have enough time to do a good job.
Take a longish length of floss - around 45cm is best. Glide the floss gently between your teeth, taking care not to force the floss as this could cut or bruise your delicate gums. 
Floss each side of each tooth with gentle up and down movements between your teeth. Use the same movements to draw the floss away from  the teeth. 
Remember to use a clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth, don't be tempted to rinse and reuse.
Choose a floss that suits you
There are lots of different types of floss: waxed and unwaxed, flavoured and unflavoured, ribbon and thread. 
Waxed floss works better if you have very closely spaced teeth. Shred-resistant floss is tougher and works well if you have rough tooth edges. Experiment with different types then use whichever works best for you and feels most comfortable - all types are equally effective.
If you haven't flossed before or it's been a while, you may notice some bleeding. This most likely means your gums are swollen and you desperately need to floss to get rid of the plaque build-up.
Flossing makes  a difference
The American Dental Association says that it doesn't matter whether you floss or brush first, but if you use dental floss first before you brush, the fluoride from the toothpaste has a better chance of reaching between your teeth. 
Dr Susan Karabin, President of the American Association of Periodontology says: 'As a practising periodontist, I am constantly telling my patients to clean between their teeth more using dental floss or interdental cleaners. Patients tend to think that flossing can't possibly make that much of a difference. 
'But [studies] demonstrate that the addition of flossing to your dental hygiene routine  can significantly reduce the amount of periodontal  disease-causing bacteria, even after just two weeks.'
For more information about oral hygiene and flossing, visit www.toothclub.gov.hk or ask your school about the Teens Teeth Programme



To floss or not to floss -  that is the question