5 Common Flossing Mistakes to Avoid

While the idea of brushing your teeth dates back to ancient times (the ancient Egyptians made the first toothbrushes around 3000 BC), flossing is relatively newer. The modern concept of flossing was invented by a dentist in 1815 when he advised his patients to use silk thread to floss between their teeth.

While the benefits of flossing have remained the same since 1815, the floss itself has improved. Instead of silk, floss is now made from materials like nylon and is coated in wax. Some are even flavored! 

Flossing is part of your general dental care, but unfortunately there are a lot of misconceptions about how to floss the right way.

Take a moment as Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro highlights five common flossing mistakes and how to improve your flossing technique.

1. Skipping flossing

According to data published in Dentistry Today, 58% of people never floss, and out of the people who do floss, 47% of them only do it weekly. 

Skipping flossing (or doing it sporadically) can have big consequences on your oral health. If you don’t floss, you can’t remove the plaque that is between your teeth — areas that your toothbrush alone can’t reach. If plaque isn’t removed, it can increase your risk of bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Thankfully, this is an easy mistake to overcome. Simply, start flossing daily, and don’t hesitate to use a habit tracker or a reminder on your phone to help you get into the habit.

2. Using the same section of floss for every single tooth

Reusing the same section of floss spreads bacteria and debris from one tooth to another. Instead, use a clean segment of floss for each space between your teeth to ensure you’re thoroughly removing buildup without reintroducing it elsewhere.  

3. Flossing too aggressively

Aggressive flossing doesn’t necessarily clean your teeth better. In fact, aggressive flossing can do more harm than good! 

Use gentle, controlled motions to guide the floss between your teeth and under the gumline. If your gums feel sore, adjust your technique and consider switching to a softer floss type.  

4. Not flossing along your gums

Neglecting to clean below the gumline misses an area in your mouth where bacteria can hide. 

This step can help prevent gum disease. When plaque builds up along your gum lines, it irritates your delicate gum tissue. As a result, your gums start to pull away. 

5. Using the right type of floss

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that all floss is the same. It’s not! For example, waxed floss may work better for tightly spaced teeth, while an interdental brush may work better for flossing under a dental bridge.

You might also benefit from pre-threaded flossers. These can be great for kids or those with arthritis in their hands.

Some people prefer water flossers. These are especially helpful if you have braces, prosthetic devices, or dexterity issues.

How to be a better flosser

To floss correctly, first select your floss: traditional floss, flossers, interdental brushes, or water flossers.

For traditional floss

To floss all of your teeth, you need about 18 inches of floss. Gently slide a clean section of floss between two teeth without snapping it against your gums. Instead of snapping the floss between your teeth, allow the floss to curve around each tooth.

Gently move it up and down to remove plaque and debris, including just below the gumline. Rotate the floss so that you don’t use the same segment twice. 

For a water flosser

Fill up the reservoir with warm — never cold! — water. Aim the tip at the gumline and hold it at a 90-degree angle. Slowly guide the stream of water along each tooth. Start with a gentle stream and adjust the pressure as needed.

If you’re helping a child floss, be sure to model how to use each type of floss or flosser.

Bonus tip: Keep a roll of floss or a packet of flossers in your purse or briefcase. This can be useful if you have something stuck between your teeth while you’re at work. 

Schedule your cleaning today

Flossing is just one part of your oral care routine. Other habits for a healthy mouth include:

• Brush twice a day for a full two minutes — just 30 seconds per quadrant!
• Use mouthwash
• Limit sugary treats 
• Schedule routine dental exams 

When you come to The Dental Center of Hercules for your dental cleaning, you can expect a full cleaning, which includes professional flossing. 

If you have any concerns about your flossing routine, which type of floss is right for you, or techniques to improve your floss game, don’t hesitate to ask. Our team is happy to answer all of your flossing questions.

You can reach us at 510-254-3328 or via our online scheduling system.