Are You Flossing as Often as You Should?

For decades, Americans have been told about the important role that flossing plays in their oral health regimen. Despite that consistent messaging, the evidence suggests that as many as half of all Americans fail to floss daily. That’s more than twice the number of people who fail to brush their teeth twice daily and could pose a significant risk to those patients’ teeth and gums. If you’re part of the vast majority of people who would like to avoid preventable dental health issues, there’s one important question you should ask yourself: are you flossing as often as you should?

Why Flossing Matters

Your tooth brush may be your main tool in the at-home fight against dental decay and disease, but it’s an imperfect weapon in that war. While it does remove most of the surface bacteria and debris on your teeth, there are many areas of your dental structure that the bristles simply cannot reach. Left unaddressed, those hard-to-reach areas will eventually serve as an ideal home for plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay.

The Recommendation

To prevent unwanted buildup in those areas, dentists recommend that patients brush at least once a day. Ideally, you should be flossing at least once a day too. Sometimes, you may need to floss two or three times, especially if you get debris stuck in your teeth. However, experts stress the fact that quality of flossing matters far more than quantity. In other words, a careful, comprehensive flossing will accomplish far more than multiple quick sessions that provide only minimal results.

Some basic rules for flossing effectively include:

• Floss before brushing, when possible. While flossing can be effective even after brushing, it makes more sense to loosen those hidden particles with floss first so that your brush can complete the job.
• Always rinse with mouthwash or water after flossing and brushing. This ensures that the particles are completely removed from the mouth and prevents them from resettling on your teeth and gum.
• Brush at least twice a day and try to floss once a day – or more when necessary

Can You Floss Too Much?

Contrary to some popular opinion, it is possible to floss too often. Excessive flossing may be rare, but it does happen and can have dramatic effects on your teeth. For example:

• Excessive flossing can irritate the gums. Over time, it can even result in bleeding gums or damage to the gum line.
• Damaged gums can eventually expose a tooth’s root, which could make you more susceptible to infection and decay.
• If you floss too much, you can wear down tooth enamel. This too can increase the risk of damage and decay.

To ensure that you maintain the best dental health possible, take the advice of the best dentist in Midtown Manhattan: make a commitment to flossing once a day. Do a thorough job around each tooth, and don’t forget to brush and rinse afterward. That dental hygiene routine, coupled with regular visits to your dentist, will provide the best defense against tooth decay and other oral health problems.