Why Flossing Is Important And How Often You Should Do It

You’ve heard it a million times: flossing is important.

But why is it important? And how often do you really need to do it?

The Point of Flossing

Most people think that flossing is all about getting out food particles that get stuck between the teeth. For this reason, some people will only give in and floss their teeth when they feel something stuck that doesn’t come out from brushing alone.

This is definitely one important reason to floss, but it’s only one of many.

Even if you don’t think there are any bits of food stuck in your teeth, you should floss.

Removing food is important but the role of floss in removing plaque is an even bigger deal.

In fact, floss is responsible for removing 40 percent of plaque.

Brushing can remove the plaque on the surface of the tooth, but there is a lot of surface area between the teeth that only floss can reach.

If you skip out on flossing, you’re essentially letting the plaque settle in and this could have a number of negative consequences over time.

Flossing can help prevent things like cavities and gum disease. It can also help make sure your smile stays looking great for years to come.

There have even been studies suggesting that excellent dental hygiene, including flossing, can help prevent heart disease.

Flossing is easy to do, it doesn’t take much time, and it has a number of potential benefits. It might not be the most fun activity, but it’s worth doing.

Different Kinds of Flossing

When you think of dental floss, you’re probably thinking of a roll of string floss.

There are a number of different kinds of floss, including flavored floss. There is also floss specially formulated for tight teeth that

There is also floss specially formulated for tight teeth that tend to be strong and smooth.

There are individual floss sticks, with a small stretch of string floss at the end. This can be a convenient option and one that many people find easier to use. There are also various kinds of stick flossers that are convenient for travel.

In addition to string floss, there is water flossing. Using a special device like the Waterpik, fast-moving and pulsating water acts as the floss.

These work just as well as string floss and some studies suggest that they do an even better job of removing plaque. Another advantage to water flossers is that many people find them easier to use, making them more likely to actually floss.

How Often You Should Floss

Brushing your teeth at least a few times a day is important, but you can get by with flossing only once a day.

Some recent studies have made clear that flossing more than once a day is probably excessive.

It also doesn’t matter when you floss, whether morning, midday or evening.

You can also choose to floss right before brushing your teeth or right after.

There are potential benefits to each. Brushing first will help loosen the plaque, allowing the floss to more easily remove it.

Flossing first, on the other hand, gets food debris out of the way, allowing you to brush it away for a deeper clean. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.

What is really important is that you make time to floss every day. Consistency is key.

It’s a bit of a chore, but flossing is important and it’s something you should make part of your daily routine.

Do you floss? Any tips for getting into the habit? Please share in the comments!