Negative Effects of Traditional Flossing

Patients give dentists many excuses for not flossing: fear of gum damage, not enough space between teeth, bleeding gums, pain, lack of time, not a necessity, awkwardness, etc. But neglect in this area allows harmful bacteria to form plaque on your teeth and gums that will lead to gum disease or tooth decay. Moreover, flossing is necessary to clean the inside areas of your teeth, which account for nearly 40 percent of your overall tooth surface. That means a person who fails to floss regularly is walking around with bacteria and plaque in his mouth -- and is unlikely to have fresh breath. At the same time, however, learning proper flossing techniques is necessary to prevent damage to gums or teeth.

Limit Flossing to Once a Day

• Floss once a day -- not more, not less. It takes 24 hours for bacteria to settle in between your teeth and begin forming plaque, so once a day is ideal. Excessive flossing can irritate, and eventually damage teeth and gums.

Be Gentle

• Don't scrape the floss over your gums; don't use a rough, sawing motion over your tooth enamel. Excessive pressure or rough movements can erode tooth enamel over time, loosen teeth from the gums, and damage or even erode gum tissue.

Focus on Inner Surfaces

• Curve the floss around each tooth and gently floss up and down the insides of your teeth, and around the back of your back teeth. Don't force the floss down into your gums.

Types of Floss

• Use waxed floss, or floss picks, if your teeth are tightly spaced. Don't use toothpicks except occasionally and gently, as they may damage delicate gum tissue.