7 Flossing Myths
We hear of many myths surrounding the topic of flossing. These false ideas often cause people to skip flossing out of their oral hygiene regime altogether – a big oral health no, no. So we are here to bust 7 of the most common myths and set the flossing record straight:
Myth 1: Only floss when you have food stuck in your teeth
Yes, flossing can help to remove that annoying herb that just won’t budge, but there are plenty of others reasons to floss – remove plaque, prevent cavities, prevent gum disease and bad breath. A toothbrush can’t reach to clean in between your teeth, so flossing is vital to get to those areas! Therefore, even if you can’t see any food in your teeth, go ahead and floss—your mouth will thank you.
Myth 2: Use mouthwash instead of floss
Fluoride mouthwashes are great but shouldn’t be used instead of flossing, as it can’t remove the plaque from in between each tooth.
Myth 3. You cannot floss with braces
It may be harder to floss with braces, but it is vital. With braces, gums are more likely to become inflamed and infected.
Myth 4: Children are too young to floss
Kids can develop cavities, just like adults do! If your kids are younger than 10 years old, they may find it difficult to floss on their own, so you should help them. However encouraging them to floss as young as possible is a must, as not only will this keep their teeth healthy, but they will also develop the habit from a young age and will be more likely to floss in the future.
Myth 5: If your gums bleed, you should stop flossing
If your gums bleed, this is usually an indication that you need to floss! Your gums could bleed simply because they’re not used to being flossed—or they could bleed because of gingivitis or gum disease. If your gums continuously bleed when you floss, come and see us.
Myth 6: Flossing loosens dental work
Flossing cannot loosen your fillings, crowns, veneers, bonding or bridges. Dental work that comes out or feels loose after flossing already had something wrong. Floss didn't cause the problem it just helped identify it.
Myth 7: Flossing is painful
If flossing is painful, it means you’re not doing it often enough! Keep going and floss with care and after a while, the pain should stop. Painful flossing doesn’t mean you should stop! However if it’s still painful after 2 weeks of continuous daily flossing, book an appointment with us.