Flossing is an important part of dental hygiene because it prevents cavities between the teeth by removing bacteria buildup from the foods we eat every day. It also prevents bacteria from hardening in between the teeth, causing inflammation and bleeding.
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Dangers of Not Flossing
What happens if you don’t have a flossing routine? Tartar buildup, inflammation, bleeding, pain, and cavities. When we do periodontal assessments and use a perio probe, we do an analysis that gives us measurements of your dental health. If we press into the pocket depths around the teeth and bleeding is present, that indicates a lack of flossing, brushing, and overall dental hygiene. After taking X-rays and cleaning around the teeth, we can get a better picture of what’s causing the bleeding, as there might be plaque in the teeth or deposits stuck underneath the gums. Anytime we see blood, though, we know something is going on that needs addressing.
Why Do Gums Bleed During Flossing?
Flossing is like exercise. The more you do it, the stronger your gums will be. The process of flossing and pushing into the gums stimulates a process that will help heal them and make them stronger. So the more you do it, the healthier they will get overtime. Diet also makes a difference. For instance, having a lot of sugar or previous conditions such as diabetes can impact a patient’s oral health.
How Often Should You Floss?
We recommend flossing daily. You can floss throughout the day rather than before bed if that is easier to incorporate into your schedule. As long as you can get in there at least once a day, removing the buildup between the teeth is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the morning, afternoon, or at night. In addition, your flossing tool doesn’t have to be just string floss; you can use whatever tools you have, such as floss picks or water flossers.
How to Floss
As there are many different types of flossers, the proper technique depends on what kind of flossing tool you’re using. For string floss, you want to get a foot-long or longer piece and wrap it around your fingers. Then, slide down and make a C-shape to hug each tooth, going up and down a few times to dislodge buildup.
Even if you use a flossing pick, be sure to get down underneath the gums until you meet resistance. If you’re not making that C-shape and are pushing the floss straight down, you can create a small defect in your gums called a floss cleft. By using the proper technique and hugging the tooth with the floss, you can avoid creating that indentation.
What Are Water Flossers?
While there are different types of water flossers, Waterpik is the leading brand that has been out for the longest. There are several styles available, including countertop, handheld, and shower units. Most patients use countertop units, which plug into an outlet. There’s a reservoir for water, which can either be filled with plain warm water or mixed with mouthwash for a fresher taste. Water flossers usually have a handle and multiple levels, so you can start at a low pressure. However, they can be messy and can take a while to get used to.
When you use a water flosser, you typically have your head in the sink facing down with your mouth slightly open. Then, you put the flosser in your mouth, turn it on, and go between each tooth on the outside and the inside while water flows out of your mouth. You can feel when the water gets in between the teeth and flushes stuff out, so you know it’s working.
While there are many brands of water flossers available, we traditionally recommend Waterpik, the name brand variety, as they’ve been tested for years and hold up well. Not to mention, they’re affordable, with starting costs at around $50.
Flossing vs. Waterpiks
While using Waterpiks as a substitute for flossing is debatable, our office recommends them because they remove all kinds of buildup between the teeth and massage your gums. Patients who use Waterpiks or another water flosser combined with electric toothbrushes typically have good dental hygiene. If you use a Waterpik, aren’t experiencing bleeding or inflammation, and don’t have plaque and tartar stuck between the teeth, it might not be necessary to use traditional floss. It all depends on your personal preferences and dental health.
If your teeth are in a perfect position with no other issues, traditional flossing might be fine on its own. However, a water flosser may be easier and more practical for people with braces or difficult-to-clean teeth. In addition, for older patients with dexterity issues and those with plaque deposits, rotated teeth, bone loss, and a lot of crowns, Waterpiks are a great tool. They allow senior patients to get into those hard-to-reach areas and clean around surfaces that traditional flossing might not fully clean.
Develop the Daily Habit of Flossing
Whether you choose traditional string floss, a floss pick, or a Waterpik, the goal is to effectively remove the food particles and buildup from between your teeth every day. If you have any questions about the best flossing tools and methods for you, we’d be happy to help you navigate this essential aspect of your dental health.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.