We’ve all heard the old adage, “Flossing is the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth clean” but do we actually believe it? Well, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) flossing can help protect against tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. But what do we really know about flossing? It’s true that flossing has been shown to reduce the amount of bacteria on the surfaces of your teeth. But there’s also evidence that shows that flossing can improve gums and even increase your sense of smell. So why do we still tell patients to floss every night? Because we know flossing helps you keep your smile healthy!

How many times do you floss?

Flossing is the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth clean and help you avoid gum disease and cavities. But how often should you floss? According to the ADA, everyone should brush their teeth twice a day and use a fluoride toothpaste. Then floss every day after brushing. But the recommended frequency of flossing differs depending on your age and risk factors. Here’s what the ADA recommends for adults:

• If you have no gum disease, no tooth decay, and no need for periodontal (gum) surgery then floss daily.
• If you have gum disease or tooth decay, and need periodontal (gum) surgery, then floss once per day and change to a fluoride toothpaste.
• If you have gum disease and tooth decay, and need periodontal (gum) surgery, and are pregnant or have diabetes, then floss twice a week and change to a fluoride toothpaste.
• If you have a history of gum disease and need periodontal (gum) surgery, then floss once per day and change to a fluoride toothpaste.

And finally, if you have a history of gum disease and need periodontal (gum) surgery, and are pregnant or have diabetes, then floss twice a week and change to a fluoride toothpaste.

The ADA says that if you want to have the best results when you’re flossing, then you should:

• Floss between the teeth to remove food particles and plaque.
• Floss gently and slowly to remove plaque and food particles from all surfaces of the teeth.
• Use enough water to loosen debris.
• Make sure you use the same length of floss each time.
• Don’t use a floss pick.

It’s easy to forget to floss. And sometimes, you’ll even miss some of the hard to reach areas. The solution? Get a new, unwaxed floss. This will help you to be more consistent with your flossing routine.

There’s a lot of conflicting information about flossing. The ADA suggests that you’re doing it right if you:

• Floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day.
• Change your floss when you run out of the floss you’re using.
• Floss in a back-and-forth motion.

The ADA also says that it’s okay to use a floss pick, but only if you’re in the habit of doing it. They suggest not to use a floss pick if you’re trying to remove plaque from tight spaces between your teeth.