Flossing 101

Q: Do I really need to floss my teeth every day?

A: Yes! Ideally, patient's should be flossing their teeth at least once daily. 

Q: When is the best time to floss? Do I brush or floss first?

A: There actually is an optimal time to floss your teeth. For best results, floss first before brushing teeth (studies have proven that flossing first helps with interdental plaque removal and fluoride retention). If you are going to floss once daily, it is better to floss before bedtime than in your morning routine.

Q: What kind of floss should I be using? There are so many options.

A: Walking down the dental aisle, there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming to choose the right product. Here are some guidelines to help you pick the best product that fits your dental needs.

• If your teeth are considered tight (shreds floss easily, hard to get in between teeth)
  • Oral-B Glide Pro Health (best)
  • PTFE floss 
  • Unwaxed floss

• If your teeth are considered normal (flosses easily, does not shred, teeth contact each other normally)
  • Listerine Ultraclean Waxed (my favorite)
  • Cocofloss (hygienists love)
  • Floss picks

• If you have wide open spaces (food packs, teeth do not contact each other)
  • Dental tape
  • Superfloss
  • Expanding flosses
  • Waterpik/Water flosser
  • Interproximal brushes (proxy cleaners)

• If you have braces, partial dentures, missing teeth, bridges, and implants
  • Glide Pro-Health Floss Threaders (I use these in my practice daily)
  • Ortho-picks
  • Superfloss
  • Gum-EeZ Floss Threaders
  • Waterpik/Water flosser

Q: How do I floss my teeth?

A: Here are basic flossing instructions using any traditional style floss (i.e., string floss, Glide, Listerine Tape, woven floss, waxed floss, etc):

1. Break off approximately 18 to 24 inches of floss (need enough to wrap around fingers)
2. Hold floss tightly with your thumb and index finger
3. Insert floss and glide along tooth until you reach the gums. Gently glide floss up and down
4. As floss reaches the gums gently pull into a "C" shape. This will allow the floss to enter the space between your tooth and gum (where plaque and bacteria love to hide)
5. Repeat in each interproximal space, gently cleaning each tooth

Q: Why is flossing so painful?

A: There are several reasons why your teeth and/or gums may experience discomfort during flossing. If your teeth are sensitive it may be caused by a cavity or tooth decay. If your gums are painful it could be technique, are you flossing too hard? If your gums are red and inflamed, you may have active gingivitis. Flossing your teeth when you have gum disease can be painful. Either way, it is best to see your dental team if you experience significant pain or sensitivity that does not go away. This can be a symptom of a bigger problem that requires professional intervention.