How Often Should You Actually Be Flossing?
You’ve probably been hearing ‘Don’t forget to floss!’ from your parents and your dentist since you were a child. While nearly everyone knows the oral health benefits of flossing, there’s a lot of conflicting information readily available on the internet. It can be difficult to tell which flossing practices are the best for your smile, including how often you should be flossing. Our team of oral health experts at Dr. John R. Carson is here to explain why you should be flossing and when you should be doing it to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
The Importance of Flossing
It can be tough to add another step to your daily routine, especially if it’s already jam-packed. However, flossing is one task that definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Brushing your teeth is critical to your oral hygiene, but it’s not enough on its own. That’s because your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere in your mouth, no matter how thoroughly you brush. Only flossing can get in the tiny spaces between your teeth to remove plaque build-up. This extra step not only helps to reduce your chances of developing cavities, but it can also alleviate bad breath and prevent staining.
Without flossing, it’s easy for plaque to build up in those hard-to-reach areas. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. These germs lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities if they are not removed. Subsequent dental health problems can lead to tooth loss if they become severe enough.
How Often Should You Floss?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it’s generally best to floss at least once per day. If you can only floss once, that’s okay if you do it correctly and thoroughly. However, some people prefer to floss more often, such as after every meal. You can never floss too much, as long as you’re not flossing too roughly and putting too much pressure on your gums.
Organizing Your Oral Hygiene Routine
When it comes to your oral hygiene routine, it doesn’t matter whether you brush or floss first. You just need to do both regularly. You can floss first thing in the morning, after lunch, or before you go to bed. What matters most is finding the time to floss at least once per day, whenever you can fit it into your schedule. If you don’t like using traditional floss, there are plenty of alternatives you can try, such as water flossers, dental tape, pre-threaded floss, and floss picks.
Contact The Dental Practice of Dr. John Carson Today!
Flossing is an indispensable part of any oral hygiene routine. At any age, flossing is one of the best things you can do to prevent harmful oral health conditions like gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay—along with visiting your dentist on a regular basis, of course! At the dental practice of Dr. John R. Carson, we’re always happy to offer our professional advice for flossing and other at-home oral hygiene practices. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!