Using dental floss is often underestimated, though its benefits are incomparable. Brushing teeth is essential, but flossing adds the crucial finishing touch. After meals, tiny particles remain stuck in areas invisible to the eye. If ignored, bacteria accumulate, leading to plaque, tartar, cavities, and gum disease. By incorporating flossing into your routine, you can maintain superior oral hygiene and prevent long-term complications. Let’s explore why flossing matters, the different types of dental floss, and how to use it correctly.
Why Do We Need to Use Dental Floss?
Although often overlooked, flossing is vital alongside brushing. Brushing cleans the visible surfaces of teeth but fails to reach interdental spaces, where bacteria thrive. These gaps are highly vulnerable to plaque buildup, which can cause cavities, gum disease, and even chronic bad breath if neglected.
Did you know? Gum disease begins silently in interdental spaces where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Flossing once a day dramatically reduces your risk.
When plaque hardens into tartar, only a professional dentist can remove it. If left untreated, tartar may progress to gingivitis (red, swollen, and bleeding gums). In advanced cases, untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. Flossing is therefore necessary not just for aesthetics but for the survival of your natural teeth.
Types of Dental Floss
Choosing the right floss can be confusing with so many products available. Here is an overview of the main types and their ideal uses:
- Waxed Dental Floss: Coated with wax for easy sliding between tight contacts. Durable and less likely to shred.
- Unwaxed Dental Floss: Thinner, ideal for closely spaced teeth, but more prone to breakage.
- Dental Tape: Broader and flatter, suited for people with wider gaps. Covers more surface and comes waxed or unwaxed.
- Super Floss: Designed for braces, bridges, or implants. Has a stiff end for threading and spongy middle for cleaning around dental work.
- Floss Picks: Plastic handles with pre-strung floss. Convenient but sometimes less thorough than traditional string floss.
How to Floss Properly
Flossing with Traditional Floss
- Cut 18–24 inches (45–61 cm) of floss. Wrap around middle fingers, leaving 1–2 inches to work with.
- Guide the floss gently between teeth using thumbs and index fingers. Avoid snapping it into gums.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth. Slide up and down, cleaning beneath the gumline.
- Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria.
- Rinse with water or mouthwash once finished.
Flossing with Dental Floss Picks
- Hold the pick firmly and insert the floss between teeth using gentle sawing motions.
- Curve around each tooth in a “C” shape to clean both surfaces.
- If reusable, rinse under water before the next tooth. If disposable, discard after use.
- Rinse your mouth once finished.
Tip: Bleeding gums during early flossing is common. With consistent daily use, bleeding usually subsides within a week as gums strengthen.
Scientific Evidence Supporting Dental Floss
- 2018 Cochrane Review: Flossing with brushing reduces gingivitis and plaque more effectively than brushing alone.
- NHS Guidance: Advises daily interdental cleaning using floss or brushes to prevent gum disease.
- British Dental Journal (2021): Found flossing reduces bleeding, a key gum health indicator.
Long-Term Benefits of Flossing
Flossing delivers benefits beyond clean teeth:
- Preserves natural teeth well into older age
- Prevents costly treatments like implants, crowns, and bridges
- Maintains fresh breath and social confidence
- Reduces risk of systemic diseases linked to gum disease, including heart disease and diabetes
Social and Aesthetic Benefits
A clean, plaque-free smile is more than healthy; it is attractive. Patients who floss consistently often feel more confident, more photogenic, and more at ease in social settings. Removing food debris also prevents embarrassing moments during conversations and professional engagements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flossing
Q1. Should I floss before or after brushing?
Flossing before brushing is ideal. It removes debris so fluoride toothpaste can coat between teeth.
Q2. How often should I floss?
At least once daily, preferably before bedtime.
Q3. Can children floss?
Yes. Once two teeth touch, flossing should begin with parental help.
Q4. Are water flossers a substitute?
They are excellent complements but do not fully replace mechanical flossing in tight spaces.
Q5. Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
It usually signals inflammation. Regular, gentle flossing reduces bleeding as gums heal.
🦷 Ready to Upgrade Your Oral Health?
Flossing is a small daily habit with life-changing benefits. For advanced treatments such as All-on-6 Implants, veneers, or professional whitening, contact our expert team at Smile Center Turkey.
📲 Book Your Free ConsultationReferences
- American Dental Hygienists’ Association. (2022). A national survey of learning readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 96(3).
- Londero, A. et al. (2022). Efficacy of dental floss in gingival health: a randomised controlled trial. Clinical Oral Investigations.
- Terry, B. W. & Daly, S. (2018). Does flossing improve oral health?. Evidence-Based Practice, 21(8):54-55.
