The American Dental Association advises that adults floss their teeth at least once every day to maintain healthy teeth and gums. While some people are diligent flossers, a large portion of the population isn’t. In fact, review of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 2009 and 2012 found that nearly a third of American adults don’t floss their teeth at all. If you’re not a diligent flosser and have a habit of skipping over this part of your dental hygiene routine, becoming a more dedicated flosser is the perfect New Year’s resolution, and here’s why.
Is Flossing Really That Important?
Some people believe that flossing isn’t as important as it’s made out to be. However, that’s just not true! Just like brushing twice a day, flossing between each of your teeth at least once a day is an incredibly important part of controlling plaque and tartar accumulation within the mouth. When food debris and plaque build up, it can lead to an increased risk of common oral concerns like cavities and gum disease, compromising the health and function of your smile.
As a result of plaque and bacteria accumulation due to not flossing, you can also put yourself at a higher risk of developing secondary medical conditions that have been linked to problems like gum disease, like cardiovascular disease, as well as tooth loss. Ultimately, flossing once a day is a drop in the bucket compared to the stress and financial implications of serious dental problems that can result if you don’t!
Using the Proper Flossing Technique
Many people aren’t aware that there’s actually a proper flossing technique that can ensure you safely and efficiently remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth. Here are the recommended steps of flossing:
- Break off 18 inches of dental floss and wind the majority of it around one of the middle fingers. Grab the remaining floss and wrap it around the same finger on the other hand (you will use this finger to wind up the used floss as you clean your teeth).
- Holding the floss taught between your thumbs and index fingers, gently guide it between each of your teeth, making a “C” shape with the floss to scrape each side between each of your teeth.
- Gently rub the floss away from the gums and avoid flossing into the gums. Repeat these steps until all of your teeth have been cleaned.
Tips to Make Flossing Easier
If you don’t feel you’re good at flossing or have a difficult time maneuvering the thin strand of dental floss between each of your teeth, you can try out flossing picks or a water flosser. These are much easier to hold and maneuver within the mouth and can help make the process faster. If you feel like you never have enough time to floss, try having dental floss or flossing picks in your work bag, car, or other place that allows you to floss on-the-go.
By making your New Year’s resolution to floss each day, you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier-feeling smile, kudos from your dentist at each of your checkups and cleanings in 2024, and no looming threat of cavities and gum disease!
About the Author
Dr. Ben Omrani has been helping patients fine tune their at-home dental hygiene routines for over two decades, ensuring that their smiles remain full, healthy, and beautiful. He enjoys being able to build personal relationships with everyone that enters his practice. He also values spending one-on-one time with his patients that allows them to feel heard and understood. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Platinum Dental Group’s website or call 949-661-2052.