Is Flossing Necessary? Tips to Make It a Part of Your Routine
You and your family have a daily routine that probably includes brushing your teeth twice a day. This is one of the first healthy habits we learn as kids to help prevent common issues like cavities and gum disease.
While brushing is often an easy fit into daily routines, flossing is also a necessary part of your comprehensive oral care, as it’s a key part of cleaning the tight spaces between your teeth and under your gums.
Flossing regularly can help you and your family maintain healthy smiles for years to come.
What Floss Does That Brushing Can’t
Your toothbrush is great for cleaning the broad surfaces of your teeth, but its bristles can’t quite reach everywhere.
Think of it like sweeping a floor—you get the main areas, but you need a smaller tool for the corners. Floss is designed to clear away tiny food particles and bacterial plaque from these hard-to-reach spots.
Plaque Buildup & Your Gums
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If it isn’t dealt with, it can harden or calcify into tartar, which can only be removed during a professional cleaning.
Regular flossing helps disrupt and remove plaque before it has a chance to build up, helping to prevent conditions like gum disease and supporting the health of your teeth.
Can Your Dentist Tell If You Floss?
It’s a common question, and the answer is that dental professionals can often see the effects of a consistent flossing routine. The health of your gums is a clear indicator of what’s happening between your teeth.
When you visit your dentist for a checkup, we look at the complete picture of your oral health during a thorough dental exam.
Signs of Healthy Gums
When you floss regularly, your gums often show it. We look for these positive signs during an examination.
- Gums appear firm and pale pink
- No bleeding during brushing or flossing
- A snug fit around the teeth
Signs That Point to a Need for More Floss
If flossing isn’t a regular habit, your gums may send some signals. These signs suggest that adding flossing to your routine could be beneficial.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily during a dental cleaning (which is one of the most common early signs of gum disease)
- Visible plaque or tartar buildup between teeth
How Often Should You & Your Family Floss?
To get the most out of your oral hygiene routine, flossing once a day is a common recommendation. It’s important to be consistent and use proper flossing techniques.
Build a Daily Habit
Think of flossing as a partner to brushing. You can choose to floss before or after you brush—whatever works best for your family’s schedule and helps you remember to do it.
Your Guide to Different Floss Types & Tools
The dental aisle can seem overwhelming, but finding the right tool can make flossing easier for your family. The most effective tool is the one you will use consistently. There are several options beyond traditional string floss that might be a better fit for you or your children.
Traditional String Floss
This is the classic choice and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions, as well as different thicknesses. Waxed floss can slide more easily between tight teeth. It’s effective for curving around the tooth surface and getting just below the gumline.
Floss Picks
These are small plastic tools with a short piece of floss attached. Many people find them easier to handle than a long piece of string floss, especially when helping children. They are convenient, disposable, and great for getting kids interested in cleaning between their teeth.
Water Flossers
A water flosser uses a stream of pressurized water to clean between teeth and along the gumline. This can be a helpful tool for people with braces or bridges. It’s a great option that can help remove food particles and plaque effectively. Please keep in mind that these can never get all the plaque off like floss.
Simple Tips to Make Floss a Family Routine
Getting everyone in the family on board with a new habit can be a challenge. A few simple strategies can help turn flossing into a routine that sticks. The key is to keep it positive and consistent.
- Lead by Example: Let your children see you flossing your own teeth every day. When they see it as a normal part of your routine, they’re more likely to adopt it as part of theirs.
- Make It Fun: Let kids choose their own floss picks with colourful handles or fun flavours. You can also try a sticker chart to track their progress and celebrate their consistency.
- Floss Together: Spend a few minutes at the end of the day brushing and flossing as a family. This creates a shared, healthy habit and gives you a chance to help younger children with their technique.
- Start Early: You can begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. This gets them used to the feeling and establishes the foundation of a lifelong habit.
How We Support Your Family’s Oral Health
Our goal is to help your family build and maintain healthy habits for life. We focus on practical advice and preventive care that fits your lifestyle. Education is a big part of what we do, because we want you to feel empowered in your at-home care.
Personalized Technique & Advice
During your family’s regular checkups, we can also show you and your children proper flossing technique.
Whether it’s the “C-shape” method with string floss or how to best use a water flosser, we can offer advice. We can also recommend products that might make the process easier for everyone.
Your Partner in Preventive Dental Care in Ottawa
Oral health is connected to overall health, and treating dental issues early can help you avoid pain, infection, and more costly procedures later on.
As your family’s dentist in Ottawa, we’re here to provide support beyond just cleanings. Book an appointment to visit us at Dow’s Lake Dental and learn more about how we can help keep your family’s smiles healthy for years to come.
