How Often Should You Floss?

Many people think of flossing as a chore. While you may remember to brush your teeth twice a day, you may become laxer with flossing. Flossing takes time and effort. You need to set aside a few minutes to do it, and at the end of a long day, you may feel tempted to go to bed instead.

It is worth the extra effort to floss your teeth regularly. Flossing can prevent cavities and leave your mouth feeling refreshed. To encourage you to perform this important activity as part of your dental health routine, we have put together a guide on how frequently you should floss.

How Often Should I Floss My Teeth?

How often should you floss is a common question. To answer, you should floss your teeth every day. Make flossing part of your daily routine, so you do not forget to do it. Keep your floss right next to your toothbrush for easy access and a visual reminder of what you need to do.

Each flossing session should last a few minutes. It should take long enough to move the floss up and down through each crevice between your teeth.

You can use traditional dental floss, or you can invest in floss picks, single-use floss that some people find easier to use than traditional floss. Floss picks make excellent tools for children because they are easier to manipulate than a long string of floss. To motivate your kids to floss more frequently, invest in floss picks.

For those who have more space between their teeth, thicker dental picks may be the best alternative to floss. Use them every day as you would regular floss.

How Many Times A Day Should You Floss?

How Often Should You Floss?

You should floss your teeth seven times per week. You might also wonder whether you should floss before or after you brush your teeth. Studies have shown that flossing before you brush may assist with greater plaque removal. It can also help maintain the fluoride level on your teeth.

It does not matter if you floss at night, in the morning or in the middle of the day. As long as you make the time to floss, you can choose to do so whenever makes the most sense for you.

Why Should I Floss Daily?

When you brush your teeth, you remove plaque from the surface of the teeth. Your toothbrush cannot reach the spaces between your teeth, however. To clean those surfaces properly, you need to floss. Flossing also removes the plaque where your teeth and gums meet. If you do not get rid of this plaque, it can harden into tartar, which causes cavities.

Is Flossing Worth It?

Flossing is worth it to maintain proper dental hygiene and protect your mouth from cavities. When you floss, you also make your mouth feel cleaner by removing food debris and bacteria that can build up. You will have fresher breath, too, when you floss regularly.

If you have questions about flossing technique, what type of floss to use, or how often you should floss, please call us at 212-355-2290 or make an appointment to learn more.