Flossing: meaning, definitions and examples

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flossing

 

[ ˈflɔːsɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

dental hygiene

Flossing refers to the process of using dental floss to remove food and plaque from between the teeth. It is an essential part of oral hygiene, recommended by dentists to prevent gum disease and cavities. Regular flossing can significantly improve dental health over time.

Synonyms

cleaning, scraping

Examples of usage

  • I floss daily to keep my teeth clean.
  • She forgot to floss before her dental appointment.
  • Flossing can be uncomfortable but is essential.
  • He flossed carefully after every meal.
Context #2 | Noun

dental hygiene

Flossing is the act or process of cleaning between one's teeth using dental floss. It is commonly recommended by dental professionals as a preventative measure against oral health issues.

Synonyms

cleaning, tooth cleaning

Examples of usage

  • Flossing is crucial for maintaining healthy gums.
  • Do not skip flossing in your oral care routine.
  • She schedules time for her flossing every day.

Translations

Translations of the word "flossing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 uso de fio dental

🇮🇳 फ्लॉसिंग

🇩🇪 Zahnseide

🇮🇩 penggunaan benang gigi

🇺🇦 флосування

🇵🇱 nitkowanie

🇯🇵 フロス

🇫🇷 soie dentaire

🇪🇸 uso de hilo dental

🇹🇷 diş ipi kullanma

🇰🇷 치실 사용

🇸🇦 استخدام خيط الأسنان

🇨🇿 čištění zubů nití

🇸🇰 zubná niť

🇨🇳 使用牙线

🇸🇮 uporaba zobne nitke

🇮🇸 tannþráður

🇰🇿 тіс жіптерін пайдалану

🇬🇪 ტუჩის გამოყენება

🇦🇿 diş ipindən istifadə

🇲🇽 uso de hilo dental

Etymology

The term 'flossing' originates from the word 'floss', which refers to a thin strand of fiber or thread, particularly used in dental practice. The word 'floss' itself comes from the Middle English word 'flos', meaning 'tooth floss'. It has been used in a dental context since the early 19th century when dental innovations made it clear that cleaning between teeth was important for oral health. The act of flossing gained more recognition in the 20th century, particularly after the development of nylon floss by the Johnson & Johnson Company in the 1950s, making it more accessible to the public. Today, flossing is a standard recommendation in dental care that emphasizes its critical role in preventing dental issues.