Why Should I Bother Flossing?
(BlackDoctor.org) – We know, we know, you don’t like to floss. But here’s a little secret: it’s not that high up on anybody else’s list of favorite things to do either. But, every six months, your dentist probably lectures about the importance of flossing. And you probably just ignore him or her.
“There is no instant gratification with flossing — that’s the problem,” says Alla Wheeler, RDH, MPA, associate professor of the Dental Hygiene Program at the New York University School of Dentistry. “Patients don’t think it does anything.”
Why Should I Bother?
Why? Because flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria, or plaque, from your teeth. Plaque generates acid, which can cause cavities, irritate the gums and lead to gum disease. “Each tooth has five surfaces. If you don’t floss, you are leaving at least two of the surfaces unclean,” Wheeler explains. “Floss is the only thing that can really get into that space between the teeth and remove bacteria.”
Floss – An Overlooked Fountain of Youth?
Flossing, Wheeler says, might be an unrecognized source of youth and longevity. Gum disease can ruin the youthful aesthetics of your smile by eating away at gums and teeth. It also attacks the bones that support your teeth and the lower third of your face. People who preserve the height of that bone by flossing look better as they age.
Isn’t All Floss the Same?
No. Most floss is made of either nylon or Teflon, and both are equally effective. People with larger spaces between their teeth or with gum recession (loss of gum tissue, which exposes the roots of the teeth) tend to get better results with a flat, wide dental tape. But people whose teeth are close together should try thin floss (generally the packages will read “shred resistant”).
For bridges and braces, either use a floss threader, which looks like a plastic sewing needle, or look for a product called Super Floss that has one stiff end to fish the floss through the teeth followed by a spongy segment and regular floss for cleaning.
The most important thing, though, is to choose floss you’ll use. “I tell my patients, ‘I don’t care if you use shoe laces as long as you floss,'” Wheeler says.
Tips For Great Flossing
To floss the most effectively every time, follow these flossing tips from Edmond Hewlett, DDS, associate professor of restorative dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry:
• Perfect your flossing technique. Use a piece of floss 15 to 18 inches long, slide it between the teeth, wrap it around each tooth in the shape of a “C,” and polish with an up and down motion.
• Don’t worry about a little blood. “Bleeding means the gums are inflamed because plaque has built up and needs to be cleaned away. Don’t let that deter you,” Hewlett advises. Bleeding after a few days, however, could be a sign of periodontal disease. Talk to your dentist.
• Get a floss holder. If you lack the hand dexterity to floss, try soft wooden plaque removers, which look similar to toothpicks, or a two-pronged plastic floss holder. Both allow you to clean between teeth with one hand.
As you get better at flossing, you’ll find that it takes you less and less time to do it, you’ll feel better, and your dentist will spend more time talking about how great your smile is, as opposed to subjecting you to yet another lecture.