Flossing Myths

The struggle is real when it comes to flossing. Many people are reluctant to floss, for one reason or another but unfortunately, for the flossing haters, flossing is extremely important.

Flossing is Vital

Although it can be tempting to believe that flossing does absolutely nothing for our teeth, this isn’t the case. Brushing your teeth is simply not going to cut it! A study was conducted to see the relationship between flossing and transient bacteria. The results showed that the patients who flossed daily developed no bacteria but that patients who delayed flossing from 1 to 4 days developed bacteria 86% of the time.

In terms of preventing periodontal disease, flossing is actually more important than brushing. Unfortunately, dentists in Sanford routinely hear a variety of excuses from their patients looking to justify their poor flossing habits. The following is a breakdown of common myths dental patients cite to excuse not flossing every day.

Busting Flossing Myths with Dental Facts

 1. If My Gums Bleed I Should Stop Flossing

This is a big myth that can keep many people from flossing every day. They think that they are hurting themselves by flossing, causing their gums to bleed. In fact, it’s the opposite. Your gums bleed because the bacteria growing between your teeth have inflamed your gums. If you floss daily and visit a dentist for cleanings, your gums will bleed less and less until the bacteria are cleared and they stop bleeding altogether.

2. Flossing Will Loosen Fillings

Flossing is necessary with any kind of dental work, including fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and more. Dental work becomes necessary when one doesn’t floss enough. Any kind of dental work needs extra care. Flossing every day is absolutely necessary.

3. I Cannot Floss With Braces

Though it may be harder to floss with braces, it is necessary. With braces, gums are more likely to become inflamed and infected.

4. I Cannot Floss Because My Teeth are Too Close Together

At Oakport Dental, we can attest that we have never had a patient that has had teeth too close together to floss. Of course some teeth are closer than others and it can be difficult to floss. There is specific thinner floss that one can purchase to solve this issue, but from our experience, this is an excuse more than an actual problem. Your dentist in Sanford can help advise you on different types of floss to use on teeth that are very close together. Usually, waxed floss or floss made of slippery polytetrafluoroethylene can help you reach in between these tight spaces.

5. Flossing Takes Too Much Time

Though some people may have busier mornings than others, there is always time to floss. You can floss in the morning, afternoon, or night—any time of the day. Proper flossing should take no more than two to three minutes. If someone doesn’t have two to three minutes to spare in their day, they may have bigger problems to deal with, though we doubt anyone is that busy!

6. A Waterpik Does the Same Job

Many think that a waterpik can take the place of flossing. Though a waterpik is a very useful tool, it cannot do as good of a job as floss. A waterpik should be used in conjunction with flossing, not as a replacement.

7. I Use Mouthwash Instead of Floss

Just like a waterpik, while mouthwash definitely helps, it is adjunct to floss. Mouthwash is better for loosening plaque, killing bacteria, and freshening breath, but it cannot take the place of floss.

8. There’s No Food in My Teeth, So I Don’t Need to Floss

First, food can be hard to detect in the far reaches of your teeth. Unless you have advanced mirror and lighting technologies to see far into the back reaches of your teeth, it is impossible to say if there’s food between your teeth. The purpose of flossing isn’t just to remove food debris from in between your teeth. It is actually the most effective way to remove dental plaque that accumulates between teeth. If the plaque remains, it can trigger gum inflammation, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. Eventually, failing to floss can even lead to tooth loss.

9. Flossing Is Not Fun

Though you may not find it fun at first, flossing will become a rewarding and pleasurable experience the more you do it. You will become more used to the process, and it will feel good to make the space between your teeth clean and smooth.

10. Flossing takes coordination

If you have difficulty with the mechanics of flossing, there are many tooth-cleaning options to help. Floss holders are Y-shaped devices that can hold a piece of floss between the two prongs. This allows you to floss your teeth using only one hand. Using a floss holder can also help you ensure you floss the backs of your last molars, which are more difficult to reach.

11. Flossing hurts

If flossing is painful or leads to bleeding, then you likely have gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. Even though it may initially be uncomfortable to floss, continuing to floss each day can help prevent advanced stages of gum disease. If you are still bleeding within a week or two, then you should consult your dentist.

Take care of your teeth and your lovely smile by continuing to floss. If you have any questions about flossing or want to book a check-up to see how well you’ve been incorporating flossing into your routine, contact Oakport Dental today!

At Oakport Dental, we are dedicated to our patients having the best and most comfortable dental experience. Knowing that you have a choice in Sanford dental care providers, we do our best to treat everyone who walks through our doors like a member of our own family.

We are available for you Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm, and you can call us on 407-323-5340, fax us at 407- 322-9136, or email us at sanford@oakportdental.com.