Nothing to Fear from Flossing

Posted on Sep 01, 2011

Did you know that one of our brand managers is also a certified dental hygienist? When we need advice on how to best take advantage of our natural mouthwash or naturally waxed dental floss product line, we like to ask Susanne.

Dear Susanne,

I fear going to the dentist, and trust me, it's not because I don't value my smile. It's because of the dreaded question my hygienist never fails to ask, "Have you been flossing?" Each time I leave the office, I vow to make that silly string a habit, but by my next six month visit, I've once again fallen victim to my own laziness. And perhaps my own miseducation. Tell me, Susanne, what are the benefits of flossing, and what happens if I skip it?

Signed,

Fearful of flossing

Dear Fearful,

Life is full of “shoulds” like eating healthier foods, exercising more often and of course flossing. As a dental hygienist who used to have Floss1 on my license plate you can imagine that I’m enthusiastic about making flossing a habit even if it’s 2-3 times a week. Anything more than zero is an improvement, and your gums will thank you for it. Why floss? It’s the only way to break up the plaque that is trying to make a permanent home under your gum line. Sounds gross doesn’t it? No one wants smelly old bacteria in their mouth! The key is to “disrupt” the creation of bacteria condos (biofilm) and tartar (hardened plaque) before it does any harm to your oral health. 

Tips

How: Grasp about 18” of floss and wrap around your middle fingers, then grab like lobster claws with your index fingers and thumbs to maneuver the floss between your teeth (this way you don’t cut off your circulation). Don’t “snap” it in-between your teeth...it hurts! Gently “saw” the floss back and forth until it slides thru the contact area and down underneath the gum line in a “C” shape hugging the surface of each tooth. 

Type: Waxed floss slides more easily between teeth. If your teeth are “tight” use round or regular floss. If you have larger spaces use flat floss or tape. You can view both varieties here.

Where: Why not floss in the shower while your hair is getting conditioned or after lunch? Who says it has to be a before bedtime routine?

Why:  Because plaque smells and the bacteria by product causes cellular breakdown that leads to gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Gum disease is really an infection in your mouth and some research has associated chronic gum disease with conditions including stroke, heart disease, and low birth weight in newborns (when the mother had gingivitis).

Remember: you don’t have to floss all your teeth…..just floss the ones you want to keep!

Smile,

Susanne

Do you have a question for Susanne (or more advice for Fearful)? Leave it in the comments!