Excuses for not flossing and how to beat them

When we fail to floss our teeth, we miss out on cleaning a large portion of the teeth. Flossing allows us to disrupt the bacteria and plaque that forms between the teeth and gums. By removing this plaque you’re helping to prevent gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Flossing at least once a day is an essential part of a good oral health routine. However, there are many reasons people don’t do this, below are some of the common reasons and what you can do to beat them:

My gums bleed when I floss

Bleeding gums can be a sign of inflammation, inflammation caused by the bacteria that hasn’t been removed. If you haven’t flossed your teeth recently then you may experience a little bleed initially for the first few days. Don’t let this deter you from regular flossing, but rather use it as a sign that it is necessary. Another reason for the bleeding gums could be being overly vigorous with the floss itself. Good technique is essential and gently gliding the floss between the teeth and gums will reduce this risk.

My teeth are too close together

This can be a common deterrent for flossing, but there are many options out there to help with this. Firstly, visiting your oral hygienist and having a thorough clean will help remove any plaque that could be blocking the way for the floss. During this visit, the oral hygienist will also be able to recommend the correct type of floss and method to help you get the floss between your teeth. You can also visit your local store and you’ll be able to see a variety of flosses in different thickness to find one that works for you.

I can’t reach my back teeth

The answer to this one is similar to above, a visit to the hygienist will help show you the proper technique for reaching all your teeth. Your hygienist may also recommend a floss stick, which is a piece of floss attached to a long handle, making it easier to reach those back teeth.

I don’t have the time

This is perhaps one of the most common excuses used when it comes to flossing. As we mentioned earlier, if you aren’t flossing then you are failing to clean a large portion of your teeth. It only takes a few minutes and from a prevention point of view, is essential. If you struggle to make it part of your routine, then start by flossing just one tooth a day. Using a floss stick can also be a fast and easy way to remember to floss. Another option is to do it while watching TV or floss straight after dinner as part of the cleanup routine.