Q2. Should I floss?
A2. Yes. Flossing not only cleans your teeth but prevents the build up of plaque which is responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. It should be part of an oral health routine and works best when combined with a toothbrush.
A toothbrush is effective at cleaning part of the teeth, for example the front, but cannot clean those hard to reach areas between the teeth. Those areas are ripe breeding grounds for bacteria and infection and need to be attended to on a regular basis.
Everyone should floss but unfortunately this is not the case. There are many people who don’t; either because they are unaware of the importance and the benefits or because they don’t wish to do so.
But flossing is cheap and easy to do and costs much less than an expensive course of dental treatment. If plaque is not removed it can then turn to tartar which is a major contributor to gum disease. This results in swollen, bleeding gums, damage to the surrounding bone and possible tooth loss.
Find out more in our why should you floss section.
Dental floss will remove any food particles lodged between the teeth and will, generally, result in healthy, shining teeth.
FAQS Index:
Dental Floss FAQs - A Guide to Dental Floss
- What is ‘dental floss?’
- Should I floss?
- What are the benefits of flossing?
- Are there any risks with flossing?
- Can I floss if my teeth are too close together?
- My teeth have gaps between them, can I use dental floss?
- What types of floss are there?
- Which floss is right for me?
- How much does floss cost?
- How do I use floss?
- Q11. I brush my teeth every day; do I need to use floss?
- Does flossing hurt?
- I have arthritis and find it difficult to floss; is there an alternative?
- What is ‘Glide?’
- What is a ‘flossing aid?’