Flossing Properly Matters For Oral Health and Your Smile

Let’s face it, flossing isn’t exactly the most glamorous part of our daily routines. But hold on before you banish that floss container to the back of the drawer! Flossing properly plays a surprisingly crucial role in keeping your smile sparkling and your mouth healthy.

Here’s the shocker: according to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, a whopping 1 in 4 adults in the US admit they don’t floss. Yikes! But why the resistance? We’ve all been there – flossing can feel inconvenient, time-consuming, or even downright confusing.

The Downside of Skipping the Floss

Think of your teeth like a city with tight alleyways. Brushing is like a street sweeper, keeping the main roads clean. But what about the hidden nooks and crannies? That’s where floss comes in. It removes food particles and plaque buildup between teeth, areas your toothbrush can’t reach.

Neglecting these hidden spaces can lead to trouble. Plaque, that sticky film teeming with bacteria, can harden into tartar (calculus). This nasty buildup irritates gums, causing gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can progress into periodontitis, a severe infection that damages the bone supporting your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. Scary stuff, right?

The good news: flossing just once a day can significantly reduce plaque buildup and the risk of gum disease. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) even suggests that flossing might have a link to a stronger immune system – a win-win for overall health!

Flossing Frequency: How Often is Enough?

To make sure you are flossing properly, aim for once a day, ideally before bedtime when bacteria have had a full day to set up camp between your teeth. Consistency is key – even a few minutes of daily flossing can make a big difference.

Order of Brushing and Flossing

The ideal order for brushing and flossing is actually a matter of personal preference!

Both methods have their benefits:

Flossing first: This can help remove food particles and loosen plaque before brushing, allowing your toothbrush to clean more effectively.

Brushing first: This can help soften plaque, making it easier to remove with floss.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to do both consistently. What works best for you? Experiment and find the routine that you’re most likely to stick to.

Flossing Fun: Tools and Techniques

Now, let’s talk about the fun part (well, maybe not fun, but definitely less scary!). There are a variety of floss options available:

Classic String Floss: The OG, perfect for mastering the flossing technique.

Floss Picks: Compact and convenient, these pre-threaded flossers make flossing on-the-go a breeze.

Water Flossers: These handy devices use a pressurized stream of water to clean between teeth.

No matter which type you choose, the key is to be gentle and follow the proper technique. Talk to your dentist for personalized flossing advice!

A Guide to Proper Flossing Technique

Flossing properly starts with developing the correct technique. While it is best to go to your dentist or hygienist to learn the right way to floss, below is the step-by-step-guide to using a string floss, a floss pick, and a water flosser.

String Floss

Cut off a piece of floss about 18 inches long. Wind most of it around your middle finger on one hand, leaving a few inches to work with.
Wind the floss around your middle finger on the other hand. This will help you keep track of the clean section.
Gently insert the floss between your teeth. Use a sawing motion to guide the floss up and down between your teeth.
Curve the floss into a C-shape. This will help clean the sides of each tooth.
Slide the floss up and down the sides of each tooth. Be gentle to avoid irritating your gums.
Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
Floss all the way to the gumline. Be careful not to snap the floss against your gums.
When you’re finished, rinse your mouth with water.

Floss Pick

Hold the floss pick between your thumb and index finger.
Gently insert the floss pick between your teeth.
Slide the floss pick up and down between your teeth. Use a sawing motion to remove plaque.
Curve the floss pick into a C-shape. This will help clean the sides of each tooth.
Slide the floss pick up and down the sides of each tooth. Be gentle to avoid irritating your gums.
Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
Floss all the way to the gumline. Be careful not to snap the floss against your gums.
When you’re finished, rinse your mouth with water.

Water Flosser

Fill the water flosser reservoir with warm water. You can also add a mouthwash for extra cleaning power.
Adjust the water pressure to your desired level. Start with a lower pressure and gradually increase it as you get used to the sensation.
Tip the water flosser nozzle at a 45-degree angle.
Aim the water flosser nozzle between your teeth.
Turn on the water flosser. Slowly move the nozzle between each tooth, pausing for a few seconds at each spot.
Floss all the way to the gumline. Be careful not to snap the water flosser against your gums.
When you’re finished, rinse your mouth with water.

Can You Floss Too Much?

While flossing properly is important, you can (believe it or not) overdo it. Over-flossing is possible and can cause damage to your gums and teeth:

Gum irritation: Flossing too much or too vigorously can irritate your gums, causing them to bleed, swell, or become painful.

Gum line destruction: Over-flossing can erode your gum line, exposing more of your tooth’s root. This can lead to cavities and decay.

Tooth enamel wear: Flossing too vigorously can wear down your tooth’s enamel, which protects your teeth from decay.

Bad breath: Over-flossing can lead to bad breath due to an imbalance of bacteria in your mouth.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing properly at least once a day. However, if you floss correctly, you should be able to floss as often as you like. The key is to floss gently and avoid putting pressure on your gums. You can slide the floss up and down between your teeth, moving plaque away from your gums. However, if you experience any discomfort after flossing, consult your dentist or hygienist to ensure you’re using the right technique.

Working Towards That Better Smile

Flossing may not be the most exciting activity, but it’s a small investment with big payoffs for your oral (and maybe even overall) health. So, pick up that floss, master the technique, and give your smile the TLC it deserves! Remember, a healthy mouth is a happy mouth!

Check Out Our Other Blogs

Did you enjoy our article? We have more great content (links below)!

Follow Us!

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel and Medium Blog for more Tooth Engineers content. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.