Flossing should be an important step that you perform as part of a strong oral routine, but how often should you floss? It is a common question that many patients ask, which likely indicates that patients are still unsure of the correct flossing guidelines.
The truth is that it’s only recommended that you floss a minimum of once per day. You’re not required to floss more than once in the day, although it’s not something that’s restricted. This is because the number of times you floss may be determined by many different factors, such as:
- The Foods You Eat – If you eat solids and chewy foods, they’re more likely to become stuck in your teeth, indicating that you could floss more than once to remove trapped food.
- After Brushing Your Teeth – Naturally, many patients floss their teeth after they’ve brushed their teeth in the morning so their mouth remains fresh for the day.
- Before Bedtime – Many people prefer to floss their teeth before bedtime to avoid plaque sitting between teeth in the night.
Now we’ve answered the question of how often should you floss your teeth, some other important questions will help you learn more about flossing.
Can I Floss Before I Brush My Teeth?
The ultimate goal of flossing your teeth is to remove trapped food to avoid any dental plaque and bacteria forming from them. There’s no set time as to when you need to floss, and it can be performed before you brush your teeth as well as after.
Why Else Is Flossing My Teeth Important?
When brushing your teeth, there may be stubborn areas that the toothbrush simply cannot reach. This is also an issue if you have misaligned or crowded teeth because food is more than likely to become stuck.
Fine food particles can become stuck without you realising, and no matter where they sit, bacteria will begin to build from them! This will eventually lead to tooth decay.
How Should I Floss My Teeth?
Many people avoid flossing their teeth because they simply don’t know how to. There is a certain technique you need to follow:
- Break off approximately 1 foot of floss film
- Wrap the floss around your first fingers on both hands with the thumb placed on top so you can stretch the floss gently
- Manipulate the floss gently back and forth between the gaps of your teeth
- Repeat until all gaps of your teeth have been catered for
Be careful you do not irritate the gums because they can easily cause some sensitivity or even produce blood. Gums can also become inflamed.
Once the floss film has been used, don’t use it again. Dispose the film into the big and break off the new film when you floss the next day.
It is also recommended that you rinse your mouth with lukewarm water once you’ve flossed as well to flush out any food from the mouth.
If you have any questions on how often you should floss your teeth, consult your dentist to get the best advice.
