Why Floss?
Dental floss cleans in between the teeth, where a toothbrush can't reach. Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath.
Floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than the toothbrush. Many people don't spend enough time flossing or brushing, and many have never been taught to floss or brush properly. When visiting your dentist or hygienist, ask to be shown how to floss
Which type of floss should I use?
How should I floss?
There are two flossing methods: the spool method and the loop method. The spool method is suited for those with manual dexterity
The loop method is suited for children or adults with less nimble hands, poor muscular coordination, or arthritis.
How often should I floss?
Floss once a day, minimum, for at least two or three minutes.
Do I need a waterpick (irrigating device)?
Don't use waterpicks as a substitute for tooth brushing and flossing. They are effective around orthodontic braces that retain food in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. They do not remove plaque and frequently recommended for persons with gum disease. Solutions containing antibacterial agents, available through a dentist's prescription, can be added to the reservoir.
Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry
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Tetanus booster for adults
Tetanus does not result from the rusty nail or whatever created the wound. The danger lies in the bacteria Clostridium tetani that lives in the soil or manure on that nail or gardening tool. When these spores get into a wound—deep or shallow—they can produce a potent toxin. Also called lockjaw, tetanus seriously affects the central nervous system and can be fatal.
Onset of symptoms can occur anytime from three days to three weeks. Call your health care provider if you have an open wound, particularly if:
Adults should have a tetanus booster shot every 10 years, known as the Td vaccine. It is a "2-in-1" vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria. It contains a slightly different dose of diphtheria vaccine than what you received as a child. It can be given to anyone older than 7 years and is injected, usually into the arm.
Instead of the standard Td booster every 10 years, adults between the ages of 19 and 65 should receive Tdap one time in their adulthood to boost the immune system for pertussis, as well as tetanus and diphtheria.
Diphtheria, a contagious bacterial infection created that causes severe inflammation of the throat and larynx and can also affect the whole body. Pertussis or “whooping cough” is a serious bacterial infection that afflicted children and infants before vaccines were available. Adults may be infected later in life as their immunities wane. Neither of these infections are related to tetanus, but both vaccines are compatible and convenient to use with the tetanus booster.
