Ask a dentist or dental hygienist about flossing and you will almost certainly receive the same advice; it’s is an important part of keeping teeth and gums healthy. Despite hearing this message regularly though, relatively few people actually floss their teeth each day. Surveys often suggest that only around one in five adults in the UK floss on a routine basis. Many people brush carefully but leave the spaces between their teeth untouched.
This raises a reasonable question. If most people brush their teeth twice a day, does flossing really add much benefit? The short answer is that it does. The longer explanation is worth understanding, because it shows why this small daily habit can make a noticeable difference for our Bromley patients.
Brushing removes plaque and food debris from the visible surfaces of the teeth. It does a very good job on the front, the back, and the biting surfaces. But the difficulty lies in the narrow spaces between the teeth, where the bristles of a toothbrush often struggle to reach properly.
These tiny gaps may look insignificant, but they can trap plaque quite easily. Plaque is a soft film made up of bacteria, food particles and saliva. If it remains undisturbed, the bacteria within it can irritate the gums and also produce acids that attack the tooth enamel.
This means that even someone who brushes well may still have plaque sitting quietly between their teeth. Over time that plaque can contribute to both tooth decay and gum problems.
Dental floss is designed to slide gently between the teeth and remove plaque from areas that brushing alone cannot reach. When used correctly, it cleans the side surfaces of each tooth and the space just beneath the gumline. Brushing cleans roughly three of the five surfaces of each tooth and flossing helps clean the other two. So without flossing, a significant portion of each tooth surface may remain uncleaned.
This is one reason why gum disease often begins between the teeth. Plaque that stays in those areas for long periods can irritate the gum tissue and lead to inflammation.
One of the earliest signs of gum trouble that patients of the Smile Dental Practice might notice is bleeding when brushing or flossing. Many people assume that this means they should avoid cleaning the area. In fact, the opposite is usually true.
Bleeding gums are often a sign that plaque has been present along the gumline. Removing that plaque carefully each day allows the gum tissue to recover. With consistent cleaning, the bleeding usually improves fairly quickly.
If plaque is allowed to remain, the inflammation is likely to progress. Early gum disease, known as gingivitis, may develop. At this stage the gums may appear red, swollen or tender. The encouraging aspect is that gingivitis can often be reversed with good oral hygiene and professional cleaning by our experienced Bromley dental hygienist Hayley Johnson (GDC 206121)
If gum disease continues unchecked, it may develop into periodontitis, a more advanced stage affecting the bone that supports the teeth. Once bone loss begins it cannot easily be reversed, which is why prevention is so important.
Cavities do not only occur on the visible surfaces of teeth, it can also form where two teeth touch. In fact, our dentists frequently find small cavities in these contact areas.
These cavities can be difficult to detect without dental X-rays because they are hidden from view. When flossing is not part of a daily routine, plaque and food debris may remain trapped in these spaces. Over time the bacteria within the plaque produce acids that weaken the enamel and create decay.
Flossing helps to reduce the amount of plaque present in these areas and therefore lowers the risk of cavities forming between the teeth.
Despite the benefits, some people seem to struggle to make flossing part of their daily routine. One reason is simply that it feels awkward at first. Learning the technique takes a little patience, and the process may seem slow compared with brushing.
Some people also notice that their gums bleed when they first begin flossing. This can be discouraging, but the bleeding often improves once the gums become healthier. Time is another factor. At the end of a busy day it can be tempting to brush quickly and move on. Yet flossing usually takes only a minute or two once it becomes familiar.
For those who find floss difficult to use, there are other options. Interdental brushes, for example, are small brushes designed to clean between the teeth. Many people find them easier to handle than floss.
Water flossers are another option. These devices use a thin jet of water to remove debris from between the teeth and along the gumline. While they do not replace careful brushing, they can be helpful additions to an oral hygiene routine. We do recommend that flossing produces better results though and is less messy as water flossers can be difficult to aim right and you may find yourself getting somewhat wet.
Our dentist or hygienist can usually recommend the most suitable method depending on the spacing and alignment of the teeth.
One of the easiest ways to develop the habit is to attach flossing to an existing routine. For example, flossing each evening before brushing allows plaque to be removed before the toothbrush and toothpaste finish the cleaning process. It may also help to keep floss somewhere visible rather than hidden away in a cupboard. Small reminders often encourage consistency.
Over time flossing becomes quicker and more natural. Many people find that their gums feel healthier and their mouth feels fresher once the habit is established.
For dentists, the difference is often noticeable during examinations. Patients who floss regularly tend to have healthier gums and fewer problems between their teeth as they reach into those difficult spaces that using a toothbrush alone can’t. Those who never floss often show the earliest signs of gum inflammation in those hidden spaces.
Brushing remains the foundation of good oral hygiene, but flossing provides the extra step that completes the job. For a habit that takes only a couple of minutes each day, the long-term benefits can be considerable.
For appointments with the dentist, or with a hygienist for a gum health check, please call the Smile Dental Practice today on 020 8462 2473. We’re here to help make sure your oral care is on track.
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