Dental News

Top 5 Questions About Floss Answered

September 2, 2015

Get answers to commonly asked questions here so you can start to floss like a boss!

Top 5 Questions About Floss AnsweredVery few people enjoy flossing, but we bet you will enjoy the potential consequences of not flossing—such as cavities, toothache, gum disease, and possibly even tooth loss—even less. Hopefully, this short Q&A on flossing will help inspire you to be more diligent about this aspect of your oral hygiene.

Is There a Wrong Way to Floss?

Any flossing that you do is better than not flossing at all. However, if you want to be a perfect flosser, avoid these common mistakes:

  • Snapping: You don’t want the floss to snap against your gums, as this could cause unnecessary trauma to the tissue. Instead, focus on gliding that floss between teeth.
  • Skimping: Most people do not use enough floss to clean their teeth properly. Each flossing session should use up about 18 inches of string floss or at least 6 disposable flossers. If you’re using less you’re skimping.
  • Stopping: Flossing is about more than just cleaning the spaces between teeth. It’s also about cleaning gum pockets. So don’t stop the floss when it reaches the gum line. Instead, gently slide the floss into the space between each tooth and the gum line to clean germs and debris from this space.

Do I Really Have to Floss Every Day?

Yes, you really should floss every day. Brushing simply does not reach into all the spaces between teeth, and the only way to remove bacteria and food stuck in these tight spots is to floss.

When is the Best Time to Floss?

The best time to floss is after your last meal or snack of the day. Saliva production slows down during sleep, making it easier for bacteria to build up on teeth. If these bacteria find food scraps to feast on, they will produce acid all night long and you may get cavities. So it is very important to go to bed with clean teeth.

What Kind of Floss Should I Use?

Waxed dental floss is almost universally preferred by dentists and patients. If you often shred your floss when trying to get into tight spaces between teeth, look for a PTFE floss instead of a nylon floss. Nylon tends to shred more easily, even if it is waxed.

What if Flossing Hurts?

If flossing is painful or makes your gums bleed, this is not a sign that you should quit flossing. Instead, it is a sign that you need to visit the dentist. You likely have a gum disease infection, and your dentist can check on the severity of the infection and advise you of the proper measures to take to cure it.

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