Happy National Flossing Day from Lake Baldwin Dental! This informal holiday falls on the fourth Friday of November, and was established as a time to raise awareness of how important flossing is to your health and give us an opportunity to offer some low-pressure education on the matter.

Let’s dive in!

Why Do Dentists Care So Much If I Floss?

We know, we know. Flossing is that dirty word you hope your dentist won’t bring up during your check-up. So who would want to set aside a whole day to focus on it?

Flossing might not seem like a huge deal, especially if you’re already brushing twice a day. The truth is, brushing alone only cleans about 60% of your tooth surfaces. Brushing alone leaves the sides of the teeth (about 40% of your total tooth surfaces) completely untouched.

Unfortunately, these are the same spots where cavities and gum disease tend to start! So what does flossing do for your health?

• Removes plaque and prevents cavities. Flossing helps clear out food particles and plaque that build up between your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that can lead to cavities if not removed. By flossing daily, you can prevent this buildup and protect your teeth from decay.
• Reduces your risk of gum disease. Flossing fights gum disease in two ways. First, it breaks down plaque buildup under the gums before it can harden into tartar, which is seriously damaging to the gums. This also prevents more damaging types of bacteria from growing by exposing them to oxygen. Second, flossing massages the gums, stimulating the production of collagen and keratin, which help the gum tissue stay strong and resistant to inflammation.
• Prevents bad breath. The food particles that get left between your teeth after brushing break down over time, breeding bacteria that put out foul-smelling gasses like methyl mercaptan, which is the compound that makes flatulence stink, and isovaleric acid, which smells like stinky feet. Flossing gets rid of food particles to help keep your breath fresh.
• Supports your overall health. Bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can travel to other areas of the body and create systemic health problems. For example, heavy oral bacterial growth and untreated gum disease are associated with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, arthritis, and more. Flossing daily helps keep bacteria and inflammation under control, which may relieve strain on other body systems.

As you can see, flossing is pretty great for your smile and your overall wellness. If you do it right, of course! Next, let’s look at some common flossing mistakes to avoid.

Common Flossing Mistakes

You can probably guess the number one flossing mistake most people make: skipping it altogether! We understand. Flossing is annoying, and easy to skip. But frequency is what makes it work. Even if you can only get yourself to floss a few times per week, anything is better than nothing!

Many people avoid flossing because it hurts. While flossing may be uncomfortable at first, especially if your gums are very inflamed or irritated, it should normally be painless.

Be sure you’re not flossing too hard or pressing the floss into the gum tissue, which can irritate and even cut the gums. However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid flossing under your gums, which is another major mistake people make. Flossing below the gum line is incredibly important for preventing gum disease. (Check out the next section for tips on how to floss under your gums without hurting them.)

Another mistake many people make when flossing is skipping teeth. Sometimes people will choose to focus only on their front teeth because the back teeth are hard to reach. However, your molars have significantly more surface area in between, so it’s important to floss every tooth in your mouth!

Now that you know a few common mistakes, let’s take a look at a few tips for great flossing.

Our Top 7 Flossing Tips

1. Try flossing before you brush.
   Flossing before you brush can help loosen plaque and food particles so your toothbrush can sweep them away. This also allows your toothpaste to feed the areas between your teeth and do its job better. Plus, if you floss first, you’re less likely to skip it!
2. Incorporate flossing with another part of your daily routine.
   If standing in front of the mirror for an extra 90 seconds to floss feels like a chore, try flossing with another activity. You can floss in the shower, while you’re watching TV, or listening to your favorite podcast. You could even floss in the car with floss picks (only at red lights, please!) if you’re short on time.
3. Set yourself up with reminders.
   If you’re prone to forgetting to floss, try setting an alarm or reminder on your phone or putting a post-it note on your bathroom mirror. Leaving the floss out where it’s visible rather than tucking it into a bathroom drawer can also be helpful!
4. Try flossing alternatives.
   String floss will always be the gold standard, but it’s not the only game in town! Water flossers are an excellent option if flossing is too unpleasant or uncomfortable, or if you have dexterity issues such as arthritis. In fact, a water flosser can sometimes reach areas regular floss can’t, so it’s a great addition to any home care routine!
5. Use proper technique.
   Proper technique is key for effective flossing. Take about 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around your middle fingers, leaving about 1-2 inches to work with. Slide the floss gently between your teeth, curve it into a C-shape around each tooth, and move it up and down. Make sure to go beneath the gumline without pressing too hard.
6. Don’t stop if you see blood at first.
   Seeing blood the first few times you floss can be alarming, and you may think you’re hurting your gums. However, if it’s been a long time since you flossed, or you’re fighting gingivitis, bleeding gums are actually a sign that you need to floss more! After about two weeks of regular flossing, your gums should no longer bleed.
7. Set easily achievable goals.
   Jumping into a daily flossing habit can feel like a big ask. So set yourself up for success! Try starting with flossing 3 times each week and build up from there if that feels less intimidating. You could even start out with a goal of just flossing a few teeth every day if flossing your entire mouth feels like too much. You can always gradually increase the number as you get more comfortable. This way, you’ll build up confidence and consistency without feeling stressed.

Flossing Frustration? We’re Here to Help You Succeed!

National Flossing Day is a great opportunity to focus on your flossing habits and see where you can improve. Take a moment to check in with yourself and set some flossing goals. Whether you start flossing three times a week or aim to use a water flosser for the first time, any step you take is a win! Share your flossing journey with friends and family, or post about it on social media to encourage others to join in.

Want to make flossing fun? Challenge a friend or family member to a flossing contest and see who can build the longest streak of daily flossing. It’s a simple way to make this healthy habit more exciting and motivating.

Flossing might seem like a small part of your daily routine, but it plays a huge role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. We hope you feel more confident about adding flossing to your day and making it a habit. And if not, ask your hygienist at your next routine cleaning!

Remember, even small steps can lead to big results when it comes to your oral health. And don’t forget—if you ever have questions about your flossing technique or need advice, our team is here to help so you can keep flossing, Orlando!