The Importance of Flossing

It’s no surprise that daily brushing is an essential aspect of dental hygiene. But what about flossing?

According to experts, only 30 percent of U.S. adults floss their teeth daily. Due to plaque build up and oral infections, neglecting to floss your teeth can contribute to health problems such as increasing your risk for heart disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis.

Flossing is extremely important and shouldn’t be taken lightly. NoBull Dental experts break down the importance of flossing and why it’s essential to incorporate in your oral health routine:

Think about the natural structure of a tooth. Each tooth has a front, back and chewing surfaces, when you brush, you effectively clean the fronts, backs, and tops of the teeth. But the spaces in between need the same TLC.

If you brush without flossing, you’re essentially only cleaning half of your teeth surfaces, (those Oreos you just ate, yup they are still in there!). This gives plaque, tartar and harmful bacteria plenty of places to hide. To reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, you should floss your teeth thoroughly at least once per day.

Keep in mind, flossing has NOT been proven to reduce the number of cavities (incidences of caries (decay)) one might have but it does help reduce the bacteria load in the mouth by physically cleaning between teeth. This likely helps fight decay and gum disease by removing bacteria. It is possible gums will bleed with a good flossing technique, (which is usually because the gums are unhealthy). In fact, unhealthy gums often do not hurt and it is advised to not stop flossing if there is blood. On the contrary, continue flossing and brushing with good technique, to try and reduce or eliminate gum bleeding (which is usually a sign of improved health).

Flossing isn’t tricky, but it can be tedious. As a result, it’s easy to become lazy when cleaning around your pearly whites. Here are some helpful tips for flossing thoroughly and effectively:

There are plenty of options on the market, including waxed and non-waxed, flavored and unflavored. The bottom line? Pick one that you know you’ll use. NoBull Dental experts, however, recommend steering clear of super-thin floss that resembles a fishing line. This kind of floss can actually damage the gum tissue over time. As always, make sure you choose products that have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

Yes, flossing does have a ‘correct’ form we all should be utilizing. Using about 18 inches of floss, wrap most of it around the two middle fingers. Guide the floss between two teeth using your thumbs and forefingers.

Once the floss is in place, wrap it around one of the teeth in a “C” shape. The “C” shape allows for the floss to fully wrap itself around the tooth and maximizes each flossing stroke. 

Slide the floss toward the gum line as far as it will go, then slide it back down the length of the tooth. Continue rubbing the tooth surface with the floss, using approximately 7 to 10 strokes. Wrap the floss around the other tooth and repeat. Avoid “sawing” motions that can damage your gums.

Slide the floss toward the gum line as far as it will go, then slide it back down the length of the tooth. Continue rubbing the tooth surface with the floss, using approximately 7 to 10 strokes. Wrap the floss around the other tooth and repeat. Avoid “sawing” motions that can damage your gums.

Repeat this flossing process throughout all 32 teeth in your mouth, (or 20 teeth, we all have unique smiles!). Don’t forget to clean the very back of your last molar. Plaque hides there too!

Many patients ask if water flossers are as effective as traditional floss. In short, the answer is no. Waterpiks are excellent for removing large food particles and debris. However, they do not remove harmful biofilms (icky, slippery bacteria attached to the tooth surface). Therefore, if you like waterpiks, we encourage you to use them in conjunction with flossing.

Like natural teeth, dental restorations need to be flossed too. Dental crowns can typically be cleaned with normal floss. However, bridges and implants may require some specialized tools to get the job done.

Fortunately, there is an abundance of floss threaders, interproximal brushes and dental picks available in the oral health aisle. Ask your dentist, hygienist or a NoBull Dental expert for recommendations.

Flossing can significantly improve your oral health and keep your smile bright and beautiful for years to come. NoBull Dental empowers dental-patients to take control of their oral health… and flossing is a great first step!