Do You Need to Floss Every Day? The Importance of Flossing for Better Oral Health

Flossing targets between your teeth and under the gum line using tools such as traditional dental floss, dental tape, pre-threaded flossers, or tiny brushes. Your toothbrush reaches only the easy-to-clean areas, covering 60% of a tooth’s surface, which is why the American Dental Association and most dentists recommend daily flossing.

Flossing daily, before or after brushing, can significantly remove plaque and food debris, promoting dental health. This guide explores why flossing is important and how it contributes to both dental and overall health.

Why Is It Important to Floss Every Day?

Flossing daily is important for:

• Plaque and Tartar Removal: Flossing reaches where the toothbrush can’t reach.

• Gum Health: It clears plaque from the gum line, reducing inflammation.

• Preventing Tooth Decay: Flossing prevents cavities by removing food particles and plaque. Without flossing, plaque builds up between the teeth, which can damage your tooth enamel and lead to cavities.

Good oral health depends on clean teeth and gums to prevent problems. According to a study published in the Dental Clinics Journal, a lack of oral hygiene is associated with serious health problems such as cardiac problems, diabetes, and loss of teeth, and this is why flossing is very important for oral and overall health.

What Happens If You Don’t Floss?

Skipping flossing might seem harmless, especially if you don’t notice any immediate issues. However, the damage can accumulate over time, leading to serious dental and overall health problems, including:

• Bad Breath: Trapped food particles and bacteria cause chronic bad breath when they are stuck in the spaces between teeth. Flossing regularly removes these particles from the mouth.

• Plaque Buildup: This is the accumulation of debris when you fail to floss. The plaque takes 24-72 hours to harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.

• Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease. The gums become red and swollen, and can bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. It is reversible with proper care, but it will progress if left untreated.

• Periodontal Disease: If gingivitis is left untreated, it may progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a serious gum condition that can lead to tooth loss. It may also cause the gums to pull back, which can make your teeth feel loose.

• Increased Risk of Body Health Issues: Gum disease has been associated with severe health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even stroke. Regular flossing helps reduce this risk.

Neglecting daily flossing can lead to costly dental treatments, like fillings, root canals, or even gum surgery. The longer you wait, the more expensive and invasive the treatments will become.

How Flossing Works

Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth in areas where a toothbrush can't reach. It cleans the gum line and removes sticky film around your teeth and gums, preventing plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.

Here are some of the tips to help you floss effectively:

1. Use Enough Floss: Start with approximately 18 inches of floss and use a clean section for each tooth to prevent plaque or bacteria transfer from one tooth to another.

2. Be Gentle: As you floss between your teeth, gently curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape, following the tooth's surface. Avoid snapping the floss, as this can cause "gum pull" and irritation. Flossing too aggressively can damage your gums and cause gum inflammation.

3. Switch to a Clean Section: As you move from tooth to tooth, use a fresh section of floss. This action will prevent debris and plaque from transferring between areas, maintaining a clean mouth and preventing plaque and tartar buildup.

4. Focus on the Gums: Pay extra attention to the gum line, where plaque tends to accumulate. Regular flossing prevents plaque from hardening into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional cleaning. This is especially important in the early stages of gum disease, before tartar has formed.

If you follow these simple, effective flossing techniques, you'll clean between your teeth and along the gum line, preventing plaque buildup and the risk of developing more serious dental health issues.

Effective Flossing Tools: Find What Works Best for You

Flossing with the right tools is quick and easy, helping keep your gums and teeth in top shape. Here are some of the best tools to help you floss effectively and comfortably.

Floss Threaders

Dental floss threaders are great for those with tight teeth or braces. They help you maneuver string floss around orthodontic wires, ensuring you can reach tricky spots and clean effectively.

Pre-Threaded Flossers

Pre-threaded flossers make flossing on the go easier. These picks slide in so quickly, enabling the flossing process to be quicker and easier, thus very helpful for a quick, efficient clean.

Alternatives to Traditional Flossing

If you find traditional dental floss difficult, the following alternatives can help:

Water Flossers: The Modern, Gentler Option

If string floss just isn't your thing, a water flosser is the gentler, updated option. It's a pulsating stream of water that washes away food particles and plaque without the sting from traditional floss. The Cheeky Water Flosser, for instance, is great for sensitive gums or braces because it reaches deep into tight spots. It comes with five adjustable cleaning modes for thorough yet gentle care.

Electric Toothbrush: Power and Precision Boosted

An electric toothbrush can improve your oral care routine by providing more power and precision compared to manual brushing. Cheeky's Electric Toothbrush cleans between teeth and along the gumline, disrupting plaque buildup and leaving the mouth feeling fresher and healthier. It comes with soft bristles for sensitive teeth and has a built-in two-minute timer to provide a habitual brushing consistency.

LED Whitening Kit: For a Brighter Smile

If you want to upgrade your oral care routine, the Cheeky Whitening Kit is an easy way to a shinier smile. Targeting deep stains from coffee, wine, and smoking, it whitens up to 20 shades in less than three weeks.

Dental Picks

A very good alternative for when flossing is a bit trickier. These have a tiny, flexible head that just slips between teeth to remove plaque and debris, especially in tight spots. They’re easy to use, portable, and just perfect for quick touch-ups while on the go.

Interdental Brushes

These are tiny, brush-like tools designed to clean between teeth. They scrub debris and plaque away, promoting healthier gums and reducing the risk of gum disease.

Best Practices To Make Flossing A Daily Habit

Tips for Success

• Tie Flossing to Brushing: Do it right after brushing, so it becomes a natural next step you won't skip.

• Use the Right Tools: If conventional flossing is a challenge, try a floss pick or a water flosser. They’re easier to maneuver, even if you have tighter teeth and dental work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Flossing Too Aggressively: Forcing the floss may irritate the gums or even pull them away from the teeth. Keep it gentle in a rubbing motion.

• Missing Areas: Floss between all your teeth, especially the back teeth. Plaque builds up easily in these hard-to-reach areas.

Why Dentists Recommend Daily Flossing

The American Dental Association recommends flossing once daily to maintain oral hygiene. Flossing reaches between teeth that brushing misses and removes plaque that can cause cavities. Brushing is important, but flossing once a day provides a different kind of cleaning needed for preventive care. It’s all about protecting your teeth and gums over the long term by preventing these problems before they start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Skip Flossing If I Brush Twice a Day?

Brushing takes care of the tooth surfaces, but it doesn’t clean between teeth and along the gum line. A dental hygienist recommends flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles missed by brushing. Skipping flossing increases the risk of plaque buildup and irritated gums.

How Long Does It Take to Floss Effectively?

Allocate two to three minutes for flossing. Remember to floss the area around each pair of teeth until the last tooth. It may take some time using floss, dental picks, or the Waterpik. Just take a few seconds on each area to clean it.

Is There a Right Way to Floss?

Yes! Ensure you use the correct technique. Floss gently between your teeth, curving the floss in a C-shape around the tooth's surface to avoid gum pull. Be careful not to force the floss between two teeth, as this can pull your gums or cause bleeding. With the right technique, you can remove plaque effectively without irritating your gums.

What Types of Floss Are Best for Daily Flossing?

The right floss for daily use is the one that works for you. Conventional string floss is the classic option, but you might prefer waxed floss, floss picks, or pre-threaded flossers. If you have tight spaces between your teeth, sensitive gums, or braces, a floss threader and a water flosser may be a better option.

How Does Flossing Impact My Overall Health?

Flossing helps keep your gums healthy and supports your overall health. Poor oral hygiene contributes to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, gum inflammation, and even tooth loss. Flossing daily removes plaque bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and contribute to other health issues. Regular flossing helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup, the leading cause of tooth loss, keeping your smile and body healthy for years to come.

Conclusion: Flossing Every Day is Important for Oral Hygiene

The answer to the question "Do you need to floss every day?" is a resounding yes. Flossing daily is important to prevent plaque and tartar buildup, gum disease, and cavities. It’s a small investment of time that yields a healthy smile.

Incorporate flossing into your daily routine with the right tools, such as floss picks, interdental brushes, and floss threaders. Make it a part of your routine and enjoy a fresh, clean mouth every day. For advanced cleaning, consider Cheeky’s Water Flosser, Electric Toothbrush, and Whitening Kit to make oral care easier and more effective.

References

• American Dental Association. (n.d.). Floss/Interdental Cleaners. ADA-Library for Oral Health Topics.

• Tavares, M., Calabi, K. A. L., & San Martin, L. (2014). Systemic diseases and oral health. Dental Clinics, 58(4), 797-814.