The Cat’s out of the Bag: Dentists Know You Don’t Floss

This June, the American Academy of Periodontology released new survey results, revealing that 27 percent of Americans admit to lying to their dentist about how often they floss their teeth. According to this survey, more than one third of U.S. adults would rather perform an unpleasant activity like washing a sink full of dirty dished or cleaning the toilet than floss daily.

While unsurprising, this news is disheartening to us dentists, since flossing is such an important part of oral hygiene! With only four out of every ten Americans flossing on a daily basis, there is much room for improvement in this area.

Why Floss?

Daily flossing is essential for the removal of plaque between the teeth as well as for the prevention of gum disease and cavities. Gum disease causes pain and inflammation of the gums and can lead to receding gums and tooth loss. Also linked to heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, it is an urgent problem that is easily preventable.

When Should I Floss?

The choice is yours – whether you floss in the morning, at night, before you brush or after, any flossing is good flossing. The American Dental Association states, “as long as you do a thorough job, it doesn’t matter when.”

How do I floss?

Proper flossing can be performed in a few quick steps, outlined here. We recommend trying out a few different dental floss options to find the one you like best. There are pre-threaded picks, waxed and unwaxed floss, as well as different thicknesses to choose from. Once you find the right floss for you, make it a daily habit. Just like brushing your teeth at a certain time has become ingrained in you, flossing will too!

Remember, even if you brush and floss regularly, it is important to visit the dentist too. Contact Comprehensive Family Dental at 361-573-7722 to set up your next appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!