Supertooth and Good Food Friends Plaque Watch School Project for better tooth care. Home * Brush * Floss * Chewing * Experiments * Supertooth book

Flossing

Flossing between teeth once a day is the recommended way to remove plaque and food from between teeth. www.ada.org.au This may be enough to prevent gum disease but is it enough to prevent tooth decay?

Almost all cavities occur where food is trapped, between teeth and inside grooves on chewing surfaces while chewing every meal or snack and where the brush, toothpaste, mouthwash, saliva and chewing gum, cannot remove plaque or trapped food. Trapped food prevents access of saliva and fluoride to neutralise acid and repair demineralised tooth.

Plaque changes carbohydrate like sugar and starch to acid, which demineralises tooth. Saliva access neutralises acid and repairs demineralised tooth. However trapped food prevents access. It is wise to remove trapped food from between teeth before brushing to provide easy access for fluoride toothpaste to toughen those tooth surfaces.