When it comes to maintaining a healthy smile, brushing often takes the spotlight. However, flossing is just as important! We get it - so many of you are used to being asked time and time again "how are you doing with your flossing?" or being reminded to floss more often. We understand that can start to get old over time. While we realize this isn't the most exciting topic to discuss, it's still one of the most important! The hard truth is, there's really no way around flossing. It really is just one of those things that we all have to (or at least should) do. Like wiping after a trip to the loo. Yes, we went there, but it really does help put things in perspective, doesn't it? We all have certain built-in practices, most of which we do without ever giving them a second thought. Why should flossing not be one of those?
In this post, we hope to help you understand WHY flossing is so important, but also provide some tips and tricks for HOW to make it that much easier, more of a habit, and maybe even a little fun!
Why is Flossing So Important?
Removes Plaque and Food Particles: Flossing reaches the areas between your teeth and under the gumline where your toothbrush can't. This helps remove plaque and food particles that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Helps Prevent Gum and Periodontal Disease: Plaque buildup can cause inflammation of the gums, leading to gingivitis. If untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease (periodontitis). While gingivitis is often thought of as being associated with red, swollen and bleeding gums, periodontal disease includes all of these same features, but to an even more severe extent. Periodontal disease also includes a change in the type of bacteria present in and around the gum tissue. These more destructive pathogens can, overtime, cause destruction of the structures (like bone) that surround and support our teeth. This destruction can lead to bone loss, gum recession, loose teeth, and eventually total loss of teeth.
Helps Freshen Breath: Plaque and food particles trapped between teeth and under the gums can cause bad breath. Regular flossing can help to remove these particles, helping to keep things cleaner, and your breath fresher!
Helps Promote Overall Health: The mouth isn't separate from the rest of the body, yet for some reason many people often think of dental and overall health as being completely separate. Good oral health is linked to better overall health. Conversely, poor oral health is also linked to poor overall health. Poor oral health can contribute to various systemic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. Many systemic conditions can also put some patients at a great risk for oral disease, like cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease. It's therefore extremely important to maintain good oral health for the benefit of your overall health, and to maintain good overall health for the benefit of your oral health.
Tips and Tricks for Easier and More Effective Flossing
Choose the Floss That's Right for You: There are many different types of floss and floss alternatives available today. Waxed or unwaxed? Ribbon or string? String or floss picks? Woven or unwoven? Flavored or unflavored? What about water flossers? You get the gist. With so many different options available today, a stroll through the dental aisle of your local drug store can quickly become pretty confusing and overwhelming. Luckily, we're about to make this a whole lot easier for you by letting you in on a little secret. Are you ready? Brace yourself! The truth is, the number one very best floss for you is...drumroll please.. ...the one you're actually going to use! That's right! While we could certainly go into all of the nitty gritty about the many different types of dental floss and why some might be better than others, what it really comes down to is finding a floss that you enjoy using and are likely to use on a regular basis. In our opinion, any sort of cleaning between the teeth is better than no cleaning at all. We tend to recommend good old-fashioned string floss to many of our patients, because we find it can be easier to maneuver in between teeth, resulting in a better overall clean. A few of our favorites are Reach waxed floss, Cocofloss, and Radius floss. Note, we're not affiliated in any way with these particularly brands, nor do we receive any kickbacks from mentioning them here. They just happen to be a few of our favorite flosses that we've tried over the years, and believe us, we've tried MANY! These specific flosses clean well without being overly slippery, are stronger and less likely to shred or snap, and Cocofloss specifically comes in some fun flavors and packaging that, believe it or not, actually make flossing something to look forward to! As much as we love string floss, we recognize that it isn't for everyone. Some patients simply can't get the hang of wrapping it around their fingers and using the right technique to pass it between their teeth and below the gumline. Other patients may have developmental or age-related challenges which can limit their manual dexterity. In these cases, patients might prefer something easier to hold and use, like a flosser/floss pick. What do we say to this? That's awesome! Again, we'd much rather see our patients flossing with SOMETHING instead of nothing at all! The only place where we tend to draw the line is when it comes to the topic of water flossers. While these can be a great addition to an oral hygiene routine, they shouldn't be considered a replacement for actual floss. When we think of a water flosser, we think of it as rinsing our teeth similar to how we rinse dishes under the sink after a meal. It can remove a lot of debris, including big pieces of food, but it won't necessarily remove all of the other grease and grime that's left behind. Actual floss works like a soap and sponge to provide a mechanical/scrubbing action against the sides of our teeth. This results in the removal of even more plaque and food particles than using a water flosser alone. So, if you're considering using a water flosser, consider using it before you use actual floss, but not in place of it.
Use The Right Flossing Technique:
If using string floss, break off about 18 inches of floss. That's about the length from one shoulder to the other.
Next, pinch each end of the floss (a about an inch or two in from the very end) using the middle finger and thumb of each hand.
Wrap each end of floss a few times around each middle finger. This will help tighten and secure the floss, and will shorten the length of floss depending on how many times you wrap it around your middle fingers.
Your floss should now be secured around your middle fingers, leaving your thumbs and pointer fingers free to push and pull the floss as you pass it between and against the sides of your teeth.
Choose a starting point. We like to start on the upper right between the two back-most teeth, then work our way around the upper arch over to the upper left before continuing on to the lower left, and finally over to the lower right. Following the same pattern each time you floss helps to make sure you aren't missing any areas.
Gently pass the floss between two teeth at a time. For teeth with tighter contacts, a back and forth "sawing" motion can help to wiggle the floss between the teeth and make it less likely to abruptly snap/push against the gums once it reaches the other side.
Wrap the floss like a C-shaped ribbon against the side of each tooth, flossing only one tooth at a time. Gently slide the floss as far below the gumline as you comfortably can. Some patients may find this rather uncomfortable and may even notice some bleeding if their gum tissue isn't used to being cleaned and stimulated this thoroughly.
Apply pressure with the floss against the side of each tooth while sliding the floss up and down. Think of it like using a squeegee when cleaning a window. This will help to clean the side of each tooth and below the gumline.
If you notice your floss is starting to wear out or shred from use, feel free to use a fresh section or an entirely new piece!
Develop a Routine: Let's be real - flossing is a habit that takes time to develop. Imagine wanting to build a better habit of going to bed or waking up earlier, or working out more often. New habits don't develop overnight. They take time, persistence, commitment and, above all, patience. So go easy on yourself. While we'd love to see every patient eventually flossing at least once a day, we completely understand that this just isn't realistic for everyone. In our opinion, any amount of flossing you can do between cleanings is a win! Just like with any other new routine/habit, remember to go easy on yourself and maintain a positive attitude. Forgot to floss one day? Too tired to floss before going to bed? Guess what? It's okay! Just remember you're only human and are probably doing the best you can do. Pat yourself on the back, and try again tomorrow! After all, none of us are perfect, and we certainly don't expect perfection from our patients. However, what we do ask is that our patients at least make their best effort and remain committed to improving over time. One of the worst things you can do is give up altogether and decide to not make any effort at all. In that case, well, we can't really do much to help you. Like the old saying goes "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." Consider this post our way of leading you in the right direction. What you choose to do from there is entirely up to you, but know that we're always here to support you every step of the way and will never be upset or judgmental over the efforts you make!
Reward Yourself: Celebrate your progress! Set small goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Positive reinforcement can motivate you to stick with your new flossing routine over time!
Conclusion:
There are many benefits to flossing your teeth, and doing so on a regular basis can have many benefits to both your oral and overall health. Incorporating flossing into your daily routine doesn't have to feel like a chore! With the right knowledge, tools, techniques and approach, you can make flossing an easy part of your day that you might even come to look forward to! Be patient with yourself while you work on building flossing into your regular routine, and celebrate your successes along the way. With time, persistence, commitment and patience, you'll be flossing like a boss before you know it! Once you see and feel the many differences flossing can make, there'll be no going back and you'll be flossing for life!
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