Importance of Flossing | Penn Dental Medicine (2024)

FAQs

Importance of Flossing | Penn Dental Medicine? ›

Unlike a toothbrush, which cleans the surfaces of the teeth, floss is designed specifically to clean the tight spaces between the teeth where tartar builds up. There's no alternative to flossing that can do what it does.

Better removal of bad breath-causing bacteria than brushing alone. Removal of plaque from below the gumline, which can erode tooth enamel and develop into tartar (can cause teeth discoloration) Reduce the risk of cavities. Reduces the likelihood of soreness, puffiness, and unsightly redness of the gums.

Even with regular brushing, certain areas between the teeth and along the gumline can be challenging to reach. Dental floss effectively removes food particles, bacteria, and plaque from these hard-to-reach areas, preventing the formation of tartar, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Dental plaque is a bacterial biofilm which causes chronic gingivitis and periodontitis (Hasan & Palmer, 2014), and flossing removes plaque or controls its accumulation (Chapple et al., 2015).

Flossing is crucial to clearing away the debris, bacteria, and plaque that hide in the tiny crevices between your teeth. If you don't get rid of them with floss, they stick around, accumulate, and irritate your gums.

Neglecting to floss can temporarily yellow your teeth. It can contribute to long-term discoloration if you continuously ignore flossing. In severe cases, not flossing can cause your teeth to move in the mouth. Food left unremoved from in between your teeth can cause them to gradually shift.

While brushing is crucial for oral hygiene, it is not sufficient to remove all the plaque from our mouths. Flossing plays a crucial role in cleaning the interdental spaces and the areas just below the gum line that are inaccessible to toothbrush bristles.

However, the majority of adults, about 68%, reported flossing at least once weekly. While the Delta Dental national public opinion poll of 1,003 adults found that 20% of Americans never floss [13], this study found that 32% of adults reported no flossing in the past week.

When you don't floss, you're at risk for two major dental issues in your mouth: Gingivitis, and cavities between your teeth.

There's no need to lie to your dentist about flossing. They can tell when you're not doing it and know how important it is for your oral health. So be honest about your flossing habits and commit to doing it daily. Your teeth and gums will thank you for it!

Is it better to floss before or after brushing your teeth? ›

Flossing isn't just for dislodging food wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing may also reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line. It's best to floss before brushing your teeth.

Flossing every 24 hours is just as important as brushing because it helps remove the plaque and debris that adhere to your teeth and gums. Flossing also helps polish the surfaces of your teeth and control bad breath.

Researchers have found modest benefits from flossing in small clinical studies. For instance, an analysis of 12 well-controlled studies found that flossing plus toothbrushing reduced mild gum disease, or gingivitis, significantly better than toothbrushing alone.

Flossing, when done correctly and in conjunction with brushing, plays a vital role in maintaining your oral health. But is flossing necessary? The answer leans more towards a 'yes' than a 'no'. While it might not be a silver bullet for oral health, it's a vital part of a comprehensive dental care routine.

Of course, dental floss has some drawbacks. Some parts of the mouth are tough to reach, minor bleeding might occur if home flossing is not done correctly or on a regular basis, and it can induce gum sensitivity or make it work if home flossing is not done appropriately.

In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth. This is because flossing loosens the bacteria, plaque, and other residue between teeth. When followed by brushing and rinsing with water, more particles are flushed out from those hard-to-reach interdental spaces.

How often should I floss? We all know that we need to brush at least twice a day. Brushing cleans the visible surfaces of the teeth, but it's flossing that cleans the hard-to-reach places between teeth, and along the gum line. To prevent plaque build-up and gum disease, you need to floss daily, at least once a day.

Flossing helps remove bacteria, plaque, and food from between your teeth, and it reduces the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. Along with regular brushing and flossing, make sure you also schedule regular dental cleanings at least twice a year.