There’s nothing quite as relieving as finally dislodging a stuck popcorn kernel shell from between your teeth with some dental floss. But is that the only time you use it? A recent national survey found that 30% of Americans say they floss daily, just over 37% report occasional flossing, and 32% admit they never floss. With such evenly divided results, how often should you be flossing? Your Denton dentist explains just how regularly you should be practicing this healthy habit.

Isn’t Brushing Enough?

You may think that you don’t need to floss because you brush for two minutes twice a day. However, experts estimate that even the most thorough brushing routine can only remove about 60% of the harmful plaque and bacteria in your mouth. The rest are able to hide in spaces that toothbrush bristles simply can’t reach, like between your teeth or just underneath the gumline. The only way to fully protect your smile is to clean out those spaces with dental floss or a flossing tool.

How Often Should You Floss?

If you don’t regularly clear out the plaque and bacteria from those hard to reach places, they’ll accumulate and harden into tartar. Tartar is a tough yellowish substance that is brimming with bacteria and can only be removed by your dentist. Not only will that bacteria produce acid and cause cavities between your teeth, but it will also attack your gum tissue, which could easily result in a bacterial infection known as gum disease.

That’s why the American Dental Association officially recommends cleaning between your teeth with floss every day. The longer that plaque and tartar are allowed to collect between your teeth and underneath your gumline, the more damage they can do. Flossing daily is the best way to lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

How Can You Make Flossing A Habit?

Even though it’s an important part of protecting our smile and our overall health, flossing isn’t a very popular pastime. Whether you’re avoiding it or simply forgetting about it, it can be easy to skip this part of your dental care routine. To make flossing a habit, try some of these tips:

• Buy a floss you’ll actually want to use, like a high-quality one that won’t get stuck in your teeth or a brand that comes in a fun and exciting flavor.
• Store your floss somewhere you’ll touch it every time you brush your teeth, like on top of your toothpaste.
• If using traditional dental floss is difficult for you, try an interdental cleaner that’s been approved by the ADA, like a dental pick, interdental brush, or pre-threaded flosser.

By keeping these important facts and helpful tips in mind, you can encourage yourself to begin flossing more regularly. With enough practice, you’ll be able to transform this previously annoying chore into a natural part of your day!

About the Author

Dr. Ted Dunson of Southridge Dental in Denton, TX has been helping people achieve happy, healthy smiles for more than 20 years. To ensure that his patients always get the superior care they deserve, he uses a combination of dedicated continuing education and attentive, one-on-one interaction. He would love to help you make the most out of your dental care routine, so feel free to contact him via his website or at (940) 566-4942.