Flossing vs. Not Flossing: How It Affects Dental Health

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends cleaning between your teeth via flossing at least once a day. You may minimize your chance of getting plaque and cavities by removing food particles from between your teeth.

However, only a small percentage of individuals floss on a regular basis. Flossing might be difficult for some people, while others find it simple to forget. Some individuals believe that flossing is unnecessary if they see their dentist on a regular basis.

If you’ve been fluctuating in the flossing vs. not flossing debate, no worries. Read on for our full breakdown of how flossing can affect your oral health.

The Driving Factor of Periodontal Disease: What Is Plaque?

There are 700 different kinds of bacteria living in your mouth. Bacteria, fungi, and more are all examples of them. Some of them can cause tooth decay and other disorders, while others are good for you.

Your mouth’s bacteria cooperate to keep each other safe. Plaque is the name given to the sticky film that they produce.

Your consumption of sugary foods and beverages is encouraging the growth of these microorganisms. Acids appear when the population grows. These acids can eat away at your teeth’s outer layer, which may lead to tooth decay.

Flossing vs. Not Flossing: What Are We Dealing With Here?

Flossing isn’t required, according to several recent news headlines. That’s due to the lack of large-scale and long-term research on flossing.

When it comes to developing periodontitis, it might take months or years. However, most researchers conducted surveys on flossing over short periods of time.

Large-scale investigations, according to experts, are both costly and difficult to conduct. Truthfulness in reporting dental habits is essential for these. However, when asked about their health habits, most individuals would offer a response based on their preconceived notions.

Unfortunately, you’ll find weak and unreliable evidence in real-world studies. Flossing has been shown to be useful in controlled tests by experts who observe the procedure. Dental professionals advocate everyday flossing.

The Benefits of Flossing

Some plaque can be removed by brushing, but a toothbrush can’t get into the crevices of your mouth. In comparison to brushing alone, research shows that flossing decreases gum disease, like gingivitis.

Only 16% of American adults floss at least once a day, according to a recent poll. 20% of people only floss when something gets stuck, and 8% never do.

In the absence of proper oral hygiene, tartar will build up. Tartar cannot be removed by regular brushing. Professional dental cleaning is the only way to get rid of it.

Prevention of Gum Disease

Gum disease may be prevented if plaque is removed from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach, such as in between your teeth and along/below the gum line.

Some individuals are more susceptible to periodontal disease, although it may affect everyone. Periodontal disease affects as many as 50% of adults.

In 2008, researchers investigated the effects of flossing and not flossing on periodontal disease in a study of twins. The research indicated that those who flossed their teeth had much fewer microorganisms related to gum disease than those who did not.

Moreover, you’ll want to stick with your bi-annual dental checkups. After all, there might be other dental issues that are unknown to you, like needing a full arch reconstruction procedure.

Flossing Aids With Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth on its own is not nearly as effective as brushing in conjunction with flossing. Dentists advocate flossing before brushing your teeth since it is the most effective method.

For this reason, you should use a flosser to remove food particles from between your teeth, loosening and removing plaque. By eliminating them from your teeth and gums before brushing, the fluoride in your toothpaste has a better chance of building your tooth enamel since it can reach more parts of your mouth.

This is also true when it comes to utilizing mouthwash. Finish your teeth cleaning procedure with a fluoride-based mouthwash after you’ve flossed and brushed. As an antibacterial agent, it will help to keep your mouth free of microorganisms that may lead to plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities.

Flossing Is a Money-Saving Method

Flossing and brushing your teeth on a regular basis, as well as going to the dentist on a regular basis, can help you avoid gum disease and tooth decay. As a single filling costs about $100 and upward, this will save you a lot of money.

When it comes to brushing your teeth, flossing doesn’t require much time or effort. In the long run, spending an additional few minutes a day to avoid painful fillings or tooth extractions will be well worth it.

If you don’t enjoy flossing your teeth with standard dental floss, a water flosser is a terrific option for you to consider.

When to Floss

It is recommended by dentists that you clean your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. A few individuals like to floss in the morning or after lunch while others prefer to do it before they go to sleep. Flossing should be done at a time that is convenient for you.

Flossing may be done either before or after brushing. However, if you floss after brushing, you may miss it because you believe your teeth are clean or because you just don’t have the time to floss.

How to Floss

Dentist floss should be cut into a length of 18 to 24 inches. The proper way to hold the floss is to wrap the majority of the floss around your middle fingers. Your floss should be no longer than 1 to 2 inches long.

Then, using your thumbs and index fingers, pull the floss tight.

In between two teeth, place the dental floss. Gently move the floss between teeth, pressing it on both sides. Flossing should not be gliding into the gums. Your gums may be irritated as a result of this.

Curve the floss in a C shape at the base of the tooth as it approaches your gums. Floss is able to reach the area between your gums and teeth when you do this.

To Floss or Not to Floss: Definitely Floss

Sure, flossing isn’t that much fun as an activity. Yet, the benefits of flossing are undeniable.

We hope that our flossing vs. not flossing guide has shed some light on why flossing your teeth is so important and how to improve your oral health. Next, you should check out our health section for more explainers like this one to help take care of your overall health and body.