How Often Should You Floss? Advice From a Dentist
Brushing your teeth twice a day can give some people a false sense of security. You can’t see any plaque, and you don’t have bad breath, so it must be enough, right? Wrong. Flossing is an essential part of any comprehensive oral hygiene routine. So, how often should you floss to support optimal dental health? We’ll answer that question and offer tips for perfecting your technique in this guide.
Should you floss daily?
Yes, you should! Flossing every day is the best way to eliminate food particles from between your teeth and just below the gum line, reaching nooks and crannies that your toothbrush can’t touch. Here are the benefits of using floss as often as you should:
Removes plaque
Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that sticks to the surface of your teeth. It constantly regenerates, so you have to be diligent about cleaning. Unfortunately, brushing alone won’t address plaque between your teeth, and ignoring those tiny gaps allows plaque to harden into tartar, which requires professional removal. What’s worse? This process may begin after only 24 hours.
Keeps your gums healthy
Those harmful bacteria aren’t just bad for your teeth. They’re also dangerous for your gums. Failing to floss as often as you should puts you at risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. But properly flossing every day will reduce gum inflammation and keep your mouth’s microbiome balanced.
Prevents cavities
As tartar develops, bacteria begin eating away at your enamel. Eventually, these microorganisms will penetrate deeper layers of the tooth, creating a hole or cavity. Again, flossing interrupts this process and eliminates the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Related: Is Gingivitis Contagious?
Best practices for flossing your teeth
There’s a right way and a wrong way to floss your teeth, and using the correct technique is critical for your oral health.
Now that you know how often you should floss, let’s review how to put this method into practice.
Be gentle
That old saying that pain is beauty does not apply to flossing. While you may see a small amount of blood when you first start flossing regularly, discomfort shouldn’t persist beyond the first week or so.
If it does, be sure to consult your dentist.
Avoid snapping floss aggressively between tight teeth. Instead, slowly slide the floss down into each crevice. Create a C-shape around each tooth and gently glide it up and down, just below the gum line, to clean the entire surface.
Stay consistent
If you only floss occasionally, you won’t reap the benefits this technique can offer. To truly support healthy teeth, you’ll need to turn this chore into a habit. Everyday flossing reduces inflammation, eliminates plaque, and builds gum resilience.
Floss before bed
When your head hits the pillow at night, the bacteria in your mouth get to work feeding on sugars, food particles, and residual plaque. While you could floss in the morning, flossing before bed offers much more protection against tooth decay and gum disease.
Don’t overdo it
Some folks can become overzealous when first committing to a new routine, but too much of a good thing can backfire. Flossing multiple times a day or using too much force will leave your mouth feeling sore, and could even lead to gum recession over time.
If you want to round out your oral hygiene routine, use a rinse with a fluoride mouthwash or scrape your tongue to eliminate even more bacteria.
Related: Does Purple Toothpaste Work?
Can you use a water flosser?
Water flossers like the Waterpik have risen in popularity, but you might not be using them correctly. Here’s what you need to know:
Benefits of water flossers
Water flossers can be a great addition to your routine, especially if you have sensitive gums, early periodontitis, or trouble using traditional floss comfortably and consistently. Advantages of these devices include:
Improving gum health: A Waterpik can reduce bleeding and inflammation, while supporting the healing process of irritated gums.
Facilitating easier “flossing” (for some): Patients with braces, permanent retainers, crowns, implants, bridges, and other devices may struggle to use traditional floss.
Enhancing convenience: Some folks just hate flossing and are more likely to clean between teeth when they don’t have to manipulate a piece of floss between each tooth. A quick spray is all it takes to feel squeaky clean (even if some plaque remains).
Can you replace dental floss with a water flosser?
We understand the urge to trade your floss for a Waterpik, but these gadgets can’t effectively eliminate stuck-on plaque like string floss. If you really can’t bring yourself to floss, then a Waterpik is better than nothing. However, your dental health may take a hit.
Combining water flossing with dental flossing
In our opinion, the best way to incorporate water flossing into your oral hygiene practice is to use it alongside daily flossing. For example, using a water flosser after each meal or anytime you drink a soda will help you get ahead on cavity prevention. But flossing before bedtime will physically eliminate plaque and give your teeth the appropriate level of care — not too much, and not too little.
Related: Are Whitening Strips Bad for Your Teeth?
Keep your smile healthy with the team at Coral Reef Dental!
Coral Reef Dental is here to help you dial in your oral hygiene practices for a healthy, radiant smile! Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!