Hammaslanka

Hammaslanka is the Finnish term for dental floss, a thin filament used to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and near the gumline. It is typically made from nylon or PTFE and is available in waxed or unwaxed forms, as round floss or flat tape, with varying thickness. Some varieties are flavored.

In use, hammaslanka is part of daily oral hygiene. A small portion is wound around the middle fingers, and the floss is guided between teeth with a gentle back-and-forth motion. The floss is curved around each tooth and slid under the gumline to clean the sides of both teeth. A clean section is used for each tooth to avoid spreading plaque. Users are advised to avoid snapping or forcing the floss, which can injure gum tissue. People with braces or implants may use specialized floss or interdental brushes; floss picks provide an alternative format.

History and development trace modern dental floss to the early 19th century, when Levi Spear Parmly advocated silk thread for interdental cleaning. Nylon floss became common in the 20th century, followed by PTFE-based “glide” and tape variants that ease use in tight contacts and around dental appliances.

Health considerations include the role of flossing in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation when combined with regular brushing. It is not a substitute for brushing, but a complement to remove interdental debris. Availability spans pharmacies, supermarkets, dental clinics, and consumer brands, with products ranging from waxed and unwaxed to specialty versions for braces or implants. Etymologically, hammaslanka combines hammas (tooth) and lanka (string).