How Many Days Can You Go Without Flossing?
- Jan 10 2025
Flossing is an important part of routine dental hygiene, but many people neglect it because they get busy or do not think it’s that big of a deal. Perhaps you brush your teeth every day, but think flossing is necessary. Skipping this important step for a day or two isn’t that big of a deal, but getting out of the habit altogether can have serious consequences on your dental and overall health.
Do I Really Need to Floss?
Flossing helps remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria that get stuck between the teeth and near the gumline. Failing to floss increases the chances of cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. Regular flossing keeps the spaces between your teeth clean and helps you have a beautiful smile.
What Happens If I Do Not Floss?
Not flossing for a day or two won’t have any serious negative effects. However, you will start noticing short-term consequences after a bit. The most obvious is bad breath. When you don’t floss, food particles in your teeth start to rot and can produce a foul odor. You may also start to notice plaque build up between your teeth and around your gum line. Over time, the bacteria can build up and cause cavities and more teeth discoloration.
The long-term consequences of flossing are much more serious. Plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar, which can infect your gums and cause gum disease. Periodontitis and gingivitis can weaken the bone in your jaw, causing your teeth to loosen and become more sensitive. Bone loss causes your teeth to move, which can distort your smile and impact tooth functionality.
In the worst cases, bacteria between your teeth can infiltrate your bloodstream, which can lead to heart and artery issues. Scientists have demonstrated that neglecting flossing is associated with endocarditis and heart disease. Neglecting flossing can also increase the risk of developing type II diabetes, especially for those already at risk.
Tips for Effective Flossing
Flossing is most effective when you use the right technique. These common flossing rules and tips will help you get the most out of your daily dental routine.
- Make sure you floss on the sides of both teeth. Push the floss down into the gum line on either side of the teeth that form the gap.
- Don’t press the floss too hard into your gum line. Pushing too hard can cause damage.
- Use a different section of floss between each tooth pair. Using the same floss section can just put plaque back in between your teeth.
- Work the floss back and forth between the teeth. Don’t just move the floss up and down — you should also move it side to side to loosen plaque.
- Be sure to floss behind your very back molars on the top and bottom of your mouth.
- If you have a bridge or braces, you need to floss around its corners. Bacteria can get stuck in the corners of dental appliances, so run the floss over them during your routine.
- Don’t stop just because your gums bleed a bit. Your gum line might bleed if you haven’t flossed in a while, but that’s normal as long as you are not flossing too hard.
- You want to scrape the side of each tooth with the floss to remove plaque, even if you can’t see any visible plaque between your teeth.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today
Regular brushing and flossing are crucial for oral health, as are regular dental appointments. Contact Forest Hills Dentistry online or call today to schedule an appointment, and give yourself the gift of a healthy smile!
Categories: Dental Health