Benefits of Flossing: Why Flossing Is Important
It’s easy to forget your dental hygiene after a long day or when you’re rushing out the door in the morning. However, taking care of your teeth and gums should be a priority, including flossing every day. Removing plaque bacteria is one of the best ways to protect against gum disease; however, it’s difficult to reach the spaces between your teeth by brushing alone.1 Dental floss helps remove plaque buildup from between your teeth and slightly below the gum line (where your tooth meets the gum) and can also help stop bleeding gums.1
Benefits of Flossing
Cleaning between your teeth daily can help prevent oral health problems like cavities or gum disease.1,2 By removing plaque from between your teeth and slightly below your gum line, flossing plays an important role in helping to maintain your overall health.2 Bacteria from plaque release acid that eats away at your tooth enamel and causes cavities.2 Plaque that is not routinely removed can eventually harden into tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist (or dental hygienist) and can lead to gum disease.2
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, causes your gums to become red, swollen, and even bleed.3 Although typically reversible, gingivitis requires professional dental cleaning followed by regular oral hygiene.3 Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, is a major contributor to tooth loss and may become severe over time.3 Taking care of your gums by flossing every day helps prevent these oral health problems.
Maintaining good oral hygiene protects your teeth and gum from dental disease and other problems, but it also may impact your overall health. Some studies indicate that advanced gum disease may be associated with other health conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.3,4 Research that would support this link is ongoing and you should check with your healthcare professionals for advice.
Flossing Tips
When it comes to flossing teeth effectively, it’s important to use the right technique. Here’s a simple guide to help show you how to floss properly:5
Always be gentle. If you floss too aggressively, you could damage your gums.
Break off around 18 inches of floss and wind the ends around one finger of each hand.
Hold the floss gently between your thumbs and forefingers, with around 1 inch held taut between them.
Use a gentle rocking motion to insert the floss between your teeth.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth.
Keep to a regular rhythm to ensure you don’t miss any teeth.
Always throw used floss away.
If you see blood after you’ve been flossing for a few days, it could be a sign that you have gum disease and should see your dentist as soon as possible.3
How Often Should You Floss?
From the age of 12 on, you should use interdental brushes or floss to clean between your teeth once a day before brushing.2 Floss thoroughly when you wake up in the morning, before you go to bed, or any time of day you can devote a few minutes to cleaning your teeth.2 The time of day you choose to floss won’t impact its effects, including whether you floss before or after you brush your teeth.2
Flossing Tips
When it comes to flossing teeth effectively, it’s important to use the right technique. Here’s a simple guide to help show you how to floss properly:5
Always be gentle. If you floss too aggressively, you could damage your gums.
Break off around 18 inches of floss and wind the ends around one finger of each hand.
Hold the floss gently between your thumbs and forefingers, with around 1 inch held taut between them.
Use a gentle rocking motion to insert the floss between your teeth.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth.
Hold the floss against the side of the tooth and gently scrape away from the gum.
Don’t forget the back of your last tooth.
Keep to a regular rhythm to ensure you don’t miss any teeth.
Always throw used floss away.
If you see blood after you’ve been flossing for a few days, it could be a sign that you have gum disease and should see your dentist as soon as possible.3
How Often Should You Floss?
From the age of 12 on, you should use interdental brushes or floss to clean between your teeth once a day before brushing.2 Floss thoroughly when you wake up in the morning, before you go to bed, or any time of day you can devote a few minutes to cleaning your teeth.2 The time of day you choose to floss won’t impact its effects, including whether you floss before or after you brush your teeth.2
How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Flossing every day should be one important step in your overall oral hygiene routine, but your regimen shouldn’t stop there. To keep your mouth healthy, follow these dental hygiene tips.
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste like parodontax Active Gum Repair Whitening Toothpaste.
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or right away when bristles start to fray. Try a toothbrush with a compact head, like the parodontax Complete Protection Toothbrush, to help clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Regularly see your dental professional for cleanings and check-ups.
- If you struggle with bleeding gums, try an antiplaque oral rinse to help kill bacteria associated with gingivitis.
The benefits of flossing can go beyond your teeth and gums, and can help you maintain your overall health.3 By flossing at least once a day you can help prevent oral health problems like gum disease and cavities.1,2 To learn more about maintaining healthy gums, explore more helpful articles from parodontax.
Source Citations:
- Floss/interdental cleaners. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/floss. Accessed 6/13/22.
- Flossing. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing. Accessed 6/13/22.
- Gum disease. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease. Accessed 6/13/22.
- Heart disease and oral health. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/heart-disease-and-oral-health. Accessed 6/13/22.
- 5 Steps to a Flawless Flosshttps://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/Flossing%20Steps. Accessed 6/13/22.
- Oral health. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-health. Accessed 6/13/22.
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