Dental floss: facts and myths

Category: Dental care · 17 December 2018

Your dentist has no doubt recommended that you floss every day. In fact, brushing your teeth and the extended dental care that goes with it are the best way to prevent dental disease. But there are still a few myths surrounding dental floss. Read in this article whether the claims hold true or whether they belong in the same category of myth as the “tooth fairy”.

Proper dental hygiene: floss and brush

A good foundation for oral hygiene is brushing your teeth at least twice every day. However, a toothbrush only reaches about 70% of the tooth surface. It doesn’t clean the spaces between the teeth – and that’s exactly where more and more bacteria collect over time.

Which brings us to the first myth:

Myth 1: “I only need to floss when something is stuck between my teeth.”

Stubborn food debris isn’t the only reason to floss regularly. Floss also removes deposits between the teeth that would otherwise build up over time as plaque. If plaque remains in the spaces between the teeth, it can lead to tooth decay, or the gums become inflamed. If you don’t treat the inflammation, it develops into periodontitis, an inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth. This in turn is the main cause of tooth loss.

Note: the best way to prevent dental problems is proper oral hygiene.

Is flossing too fiddly?

Flossing is easier than ever. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the basic technique. If you do have difficulty using floss, however, try a floss holder – a Y-shaped holder with a piece of floss stretched across it. This lets you easily clean even the hard-to-reach back teeth.

Myth 3: “Flossing hurts.”

If you use the right product and your mouth is healthy, flossing doesn’t cause pain. It can, however, be a little uncomfortable at first for people with gum disease. But once you clean conscientiously, the inflammation subsides and your gums become more resilient.

Does flossing cause receding gums?

This is another myth that stubbornly persists. The fact is that flossing prevents receding gums! By removing food debris and bacteria from beneath the gum line, you prevent inflammation and periodontal disease.

If your gums are already receding due to periodontitis, flossing every day can help prevent further damage.

Myth 5: “The gaps between my teeth are too tight for floss”

It can be a challenge, but it’s no reason to neglect flossing. You may just need to adapt your technique. Move the floss back and forth with a rocking motion to work it into the tight spaces between your teeth.

Myth 6: No flossing with braces

Braces can certainly make flossing a challenge. With our invisible braces you elegantly avoid this problem.

Can flossing make fillings fall out?

A filling that is already loose or broken can fall out while you floss, but intact fillings cannot. Flossing can alert you to problems with your fillings that you might otherwise not notice.

Myth 8: “I have to stop flossing if my gums bleed.”

Bleeding can be discouraging if it occurs while you floss. Minor bleeding is no cause for concern, though it can point to possible gum problems.

Some people make their gums bleed because they go at it too enthusiastically. If your gums often bleed, be a little gentler and see whether they bleed less.

People with gum disease usually bleed more than others when they floss. Take a close look at the affected areas of gum and check whether they are inflamed. If you think you may have gum disease, make an appointment with your dentist.

Conclusion: flossing is healthy

Flossing is good for most of us, and as our article has shown, the myths presented all belong in the “tooth fairy drawer”. If you still have questions about flossing, it’s best to discuss them at your next visit to your dentist or dental hygienist. You’re also welcome to contact us.

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