Like updating your resume, exercising daily, and social distancing during a pandemic, flossing is one of those things that you know is good for you, even if you don't particularly enjoy it. But do you really need to use it?
Why should you floss?
Simply put, it cleans between teeth where brushing can't reach. The goal is to disrupt the formation of dental plaque, a sticky layer made up of bacteria and food particles on the surface of your teeth.
Its job is to remove the plaque that builds up under the gum tissue. Brushing cleans the inside and outside of your teeth, but it doesn't reach completely between the teeth where they touch.
There are several types of symptoms that can start to appear if you can't get rid of plaque.
Bloody gums and bad breath
Persistent plaque can cause gingivitis , an inflammation of the gums. The onset of gingivitis can take as little as 24 hours, so it is recommended to floss once a day.
Early signs include swollen and tender gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, and persistent smelly breath.
Luckily, gingivitis is reversible with more frequent professional cleanings and doing a better job with home care, brushing, and flossing. The gums will become tight and pink again, without bleeding.
Loose tooth
It's critical to nip gingivitis in the bud before it progresses to a more serious condition – periodontitis .
When plaque is not removed promptly, it absorbs calcium from saliva and hardens into a calculus, which can only be removed with professional dental cleaning instruments. If the stone remains in place for a long period of time, it can lead to periodontitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause the gums to become detached from the teeth and the supporting bone to be lost. Over time, severe periodontitis leads to tooth loosening and tooth loss.
A night or two without flossing won't make your teeth fall out, so you can breathe easy here. Periodontitis occurs gradually, due to poor oral hygiene over time.
This disease can take months or years to develop, although this varies greatly from one person to another. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the body's inflammatory reaction to plaque and stones, and some people are more prone to inflammation than others.
Smoking, diabetes, female hormonal changes, stress, heredity, crooked teeth, and certain medications can increase the risk of gum disease.
Cavities and bites
Our mouth has thriving microbiomes, typically made up of high levels of good bacteria and low levels of bad bacteria.
That balance of good and bad microorganisms is reversed when you have periodontal disease. The number of harmful bacteria that cause inflammation and infection increases.
That gross bacteria can also rot your white pearls. It ferments the sugar in your diet and creates acid, which makes holes in your teeth. Oral hygiene isn't just about saving your teeth, it's about preserving your overall health as well.
Serious health problems
The condition of your mouth isn't the only thing at risk when bad bacteria build up.
Inflammation caused by bacterial deposits and periodontal disease enters the bloodstream, where it can travel to other parts of the body, leading to systemic problems including heart disease and possibly diabetes, and putting you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.
Is it necessary to use it?
Although proper oral hygiene is a no-brainer and dentists are in favor of interdental cleaning, science is still out on whether or not flossing is necessary.
A January 2015 review found "inconsistent / weak evidence" for flossing as a means of preventing gingivitis "due to lack of efficacy." Three months later, a second review in the same journal reported "weak, unclear or small evidence" to support the role of flossing in reducing plaque and gingivitis.
Study results vary and more research is needed on this topic, particularly regarding whether or not flossing has an impact on the progression of gum disease and tooth decay. That being said, flossing is a low-risk, low-cost way to clean parts of your teeth where your toothbrush can't reach.
Solutions for those who hate flossing
First, check your flossing technique. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be happy to show you some tips and tricks on flossing that might make things easier for you.
There are also effective alternatives to remove plaque, such as flossing with water or an interdental brush. The important thing is to break the plate before it hardens and turns into calculus.
5 common mistakes when using it
If weaving a rope between your teeth is painful or complicated, it could be a sign that you are doing it wrong.
You are wearing it in front of a mirror
It is difficult to coordinate the hands and the eyes when the image is reversed; some people find it easier to navigate by touch than by sight. It takes practice, but it soon becomes second nature for most people, especially if you follow the same flossing pattern (upper jaw to lower jaw, left to right, etc.) and it doesn't skip.
You pinch the thread between your fingertips
This position can cause floss to slip out of your hands.
Wrapping the floss around your fingers makes it easier to handle. If you have trouble handling it due to arthritis or lack of dexterity, tell your dentist.
You are flossing too little
The floss should be at least 18 inches long, with the unused floss wrapped around the middle and ring fingers of both hands. A longer piece is easier to navigate and control than a short piece.
You cut your gums
This can cause pain and damage the delicate interdental tissue. It is better to use a gentle sawing motion to glide the floss rather than breaking the floss between the teeth.
If you have very clenched teeth, use a thread threader for easier handling.
You ignore the sides of your teeth
At the gum line, fold the floss into a C-shape against the tooth and move it up and down, gently rubbing the side of each tooth.
Is it bad to never floss?
If using yarn isn't your thing, it's not a deal breaker.
The goal is to remove plaque between the teeth every day, either with floss or some other interdental method. But if you never clean between your teeth, you're playing with fire.
Nobody is perfect, and like dieting or exercising, skipping a day here and there probably won't hurt; in fact, some lucky people have healthy mouths despite never flossing.
But a dentist can almost always tell when someone isn't flossing [on a regular basis]. Usually there are clear signs that the interdental areas are being neglected – sometimes it is plaque or calculus buildup , and other times it is a more serious condition such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
