Do you really need to floss the teeth you want to keep?
That’s what every hilarious dentist sign warns. You don’t need to floss all of your teeth. Just the ones you want to keep. Which means, of course, that they think you should floss (and while you’re at it, why not get all of them?).
According to the last available survey, only about 30% of adult respondents brush daily. Does that mean it’s time to liquidate your portfolio and put everything into a company that makes dentures?
In this article, we take a look at why flossing is important and what role it should play in your life.
What Does Flossing Accomplish?
Flossing gets to areas that your toothbrush can’t. It’s admittedly a small surface area that floss is designed to address but when even tiny cavities can create big pain. The bacteria that accumulates between your teeth can also do more damage than you might at first assume. For one thing, it’s bad for ALL parts of your tooth, wearing down enamel, which can result in further problems later on.
Flossing also plays an important role in preventing gingivitis. Gingivitis is known as “the earliest stage of gum disease.” While it’s primarily associated with inflammation and discomfort it can escalate into periodontitis if it is left untreated. This is a much more severe form of gum disease that can cost you teeth, or even bone mass in your mouth if left untreated.
A lot of people think, “Why floss? I’ve never done it before and look at me! I could be a tooth model.” Maybe that’s true. Now. But the same way you might not be eating spinach to avoid a heart attack scheduled for this afternoon, not all the benefits of good oral hygiene are immediate. Almost 70% of adults over 65 have gum disease. More than 20% have false teeth. There’s an old dental saying that summarizes the situation nicely. “Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you.”
How Often Should You Floss?
The standard recommendation is to floss daily. This, along with brushing twice daily for about two minutes per session is considered a “complete oral hygiene routine.” And while it sounds inconvenient we are talking about 5-6 minutes of your life total, per day.
And yeah, ok. Five to six minutes a day adds up when scaled throughout the year. Incidentally, so does gum disease. It’s definitely best to follow dentist recommendations. That said, some flossing is better than nothing. Start slow to build the habit. If once weekly is more than you’ve been doing even that will improve your oral health. Start slow and scale up gradually from there.
How to Floss
To floss, carefully slide your string of floss between each pair of teeth. Flex the floss into a “C” shape as you slide it up and down between the teeth. This will help make the cleaning more efficient while reducing the risk of injury.
Bleeding or cut gums is one of those experiences that so often drives people away from flossing. How healthy could a habit be if you’re wiping blood from your chin afterward? Bleeding gums are unpleasant but they are often an indication that your mouth really needs this routine. Often it’s an indication either of inexperience or even the early onset of gum disease. In either case, the fastest way out is through. Start making flossing a regular part of your routine.
Dental professionals suggest using about 18 inches of floss, winding most around your middle fingers and leaving 1-2 inches to work with between your hands for better control and a fresh section for each tooth.
The long string of floss may feel excessive but can be good for ensuring that each pair of teeth is treated by a fresh section of the floss.
Do Floss Picks Work?
Floss picks are popular because they require less manual dexterity to use properly. However, dentists generally recommend traditional floss over this admittedly more convenient option. One reason is that it’s harder to work dental picks into the recommended C-shape. The other factor is that you aren’t getting the chance to use fresh sections of string, which means you might be rubbing bacteria into newly flossed teeth.
Floss picks are definitely better than no floss at all. If it’s between that and not flossing, by all means, use the pick. On the other hand, string floss is the better long-term option. If you are going to put time and effort into your dental hygiene routine, why not optimize for the best possible result?
Conclusion
Good oral health depends on a complete hygiene routine. Flossing is a core component of keeping your mouth looking good, not just today, but in the decades to come.
For a more complete oral hygiene strategy it is also important to regularly see a dentist. Contact Integrated Dental to set up an appointment today.