It’s a dentist’s most frequent phrase: “Brush and floss your teeth!” Daily flossing, however, is a lot easier said than done. Not only does it require discipline and daily commitment, but it can also be both painful and frustrating.  

The first patent for dental floss dates from 1874. Almost immediately after its patenting, dentists wasted no time in promoting the idea of daily flossing. Before long, the American Dental Association was encouraging everyone to floss.  

Although many consider flossing routine dental care, clinicians and researchers continue to dispute its effectiveness. This post discusses the importance of flossing, how it affects gums, and tips on making the most of your routine. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll see that daily flossing habits can prevent cavities and gum disease.  

To Floss or Not to Floss  

About 6 years ago, the Associated Press released an article questioning the effectiveness of daily flossing. The author argued that the Department of Health’s recommendation to floss lacked sufficient supporting data. This resulted in removing the flossing recommendation from the government-published dietary guidelines. 

This promoted much discussion in the field of dental professionals. Many dentists argued that patients should continue to floss because it is essential for healthy teeth. Even with limited supporting research, dentists could easily distinguish between the teeth of a flosser versus one who didn’t floss.  

Now perhaps you’re thinking, “Does this mean I don’t need to floss?” Not exactly. Researchers haven’t disproven flossing; they just haven’t run a study large enough to qualify as adequate data. Large studies that accurately track participants’ hygiene habits are a huge undertaking due to the expense and mass cooperation required.  

Is Daily Flossing Really Necessary?  

Have you ever heard the phrase “Only brush the teeth you want to keep?” Apparently, this goes for flossing too. Despite the lack of a large-scale study on flossing, brushing covers only 60% of the surfaces of your teeth. That means neglecting to floss is leaving 40% of your tooth surfaces untouched.  

Cavities most commonly form in molars, the larger teeth in the back of your mouth. The second most common place to find cavities is between teeth or in the gumline. This shows that if you effectively floss in these places, you could be preventing cavities.  

Although researchers have not run a study large enough for a federal recommendation, daily flossing delivers clear benefits. If flossing removes food debris, then it must be doing something good. In addition, consistent flossing can decrease gum inflammation.  

Should I Floss If It Makes My Gums Bleed?  

It is frustrating to floss one night only to wake up to tender, swollen gums. The fact of the matter is that skipping the floss contributes to painful gums. Building a habit of daily flossing will strengthen your gums, and over time will decrease the sensitivity.  

Removing the food debris and plaque lodged in the gumline and between teeth reduces gum inflammation. Leftover food debris in your gums is one of the primary causes of gingivitis. This can lead to periodontitis, a worse form of gum disease that results in tooth decay and gumline recession.  

If you’re struggling with sensitive gums or hard-to-reach areas, you may consider trying an interdental brush. You use it by poking it into the triangular space between your teeth and gums. This is perfect for removing food debris from between teeth that are too close together.   

Flossing Well – What Does It Look Like?  

From electric water piks to spools of dental floss, there are many ways to get the job done. The best method isn’t necessarily an electronic or manual flosser, but one that helps you maintain daily flossing. Whether you use a water or air flosser, it’s most important that you clean your teeth on a regular basis.  

Some people find it easier to floss without a mirror because their movements aren’t reversed. Another trick is keeping your floss visible. Having floss sitting on your counter can remind you to floss before bed.  

Using a sawing motion when flossing is common, but it’s better to floss around each tooth, creating a ‘C’ shape. Some teeth are too close for this to work, but it’s more effective for cleaning sensitive gums. If your gums are becoming inflamed or bleeding when flossing, it’s not a sign to stop, but to floss gently.  

Final Thoughts on Flossing  

Approximately 1 in 5 adults don’t floss. But every day skipped on flossing leaves nearly half of the surface area of your teeth untouched. Perhaps flossing impacts dental health more than we previously understood. 

Although there isn’t a large-scale study, there is plenty of evidence from small studies proving that flossing promotes dental health. Nearly 42% of adults over 30 experience some sort of gum disease, stressing the importance of daily flossing. Regardless of whether you prefer a regular or other flosser, the priority is finding one you will use every day.  

While the Department of Health does not specifically advocate for flossing, it doesn’t mean flossing is ineffective. If anything, the Associated Press article and resulting discussion about flossing have only proven its significance. See if you can notice the difference flossing makes by committing to floss every day!  

Augusta Family Dental is here to help if you have any additional questions about daily flossing. Contact Augusta Family Dental today to get started!