Full Editorial
We all know the drill. You’re sitting in the dental hygienist’s chair, and they ask the inevitable question: “So, have you been flossing regularly?” For many of us, the answer is a sheepish “sometimes.” Flossing is the one part of our daily routine that is so easy to skip. But as any reputable dentist will tell you, flossing is absolutely non-negotiable for preventing cavities and gum disease. It’s the only way to clean the 35% of your tooth’s surface that your toothbrush simply can’t reach.
The surprising truth is that even those of us who do floss regularly might not be doing it correctly. Making a few common mistakes can render your efforts ineffective or even cause harm to your gums.
To get the most out of this crucial two-minute habit, it’s important to make sure you’re doing it right. Here are five of the most common flossing mistakes and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: “Snapping” the Floss Between Your Teeth
This is the most common and potentially damaging mistake. You’re in a hurry, so you force the floss down between two tight teeth, and it makes a loud “snap” as it hits your gums. This can be painful, and over time, that repeated trauma can damage the delicate, triangular piece of gum tissue between your teeth (the papilla), causing it to recede.
The Fix: Be gentle. Use a light, back-and-forth sawing motion to guide the floss slowly and carefully through the tight contact point between your teeth. The floss should slide in, not snap.
Mistake #2: The Quick “In-and-Out”
Once the floss is between your teeth, what do you do? Many people simply pop it in and then pull it straight back out. This mistake means you are missing the entire point of flossing. The goal is not just to dislodge that piece of popcorn from between your teeth; it’s to scrape the soft, sticky plaque off the surfaces of the teeth that your brush can’t reach.
The Fix: Use the “C-Shape” technique. Once the floss is between your teeth, curve it into a “C” shape, wrapping it snugly against the side of one tooth. Gently slide the floss up and down, from just below the gumline to the top of the tooth, a few times. Then, curve the floss around the other tooth in that same space and repeat the process.
Mistake #3: Reusing the Same Section of Floss
When you use the same small section of floss to clean between every tooth, you’re not really cleaning; you’re just moving plaque and harmful bacteria from one part of your mouth to another.
The Fix: Start with a long piece of floss, about 18 inches. Wrap most of it around one of your middle fingers, leaving a couple of inches to work with. As you clean a space and the floss becomes dirty, unwind a fresh section from one finger and wind the used section onto your other middle finger. This ensures you are using a clean piece of floss for every single tooth.
Mistake #4: Stopping When You See a Little Blood
It can be alarming to see a bit of pink in the sink after you floss, and many people stop immediately, thinking they are hurting their gums. In most cases, the opposite is true. A little bit of bleeding, especially if you haven’t been flossing consistently, is a sign of mild gum inflammation, or gingivitis. It’s a sign that your gums are unhealthy, and that you need to be flossing to remove the bacteria that is causing the inflammation.
The Fix: Don’t stop! Continue to floss gently and consistently every day. As you remove the plaque and your gums get healthier, the bleeding should stop within a week or two. If the bleeding is heavy or persists for longer than that, it’s a sign you should see your dentist.
Mistake #5: Thinking All Floss is the Same
There are many different types of floss on the market, and finding one you actually like to use can be the key to making the habit stick. If you have very tight contacts between your teeth, a thin, waxed floss might glide more easily. If you have larger gaps, you might prefer a wider, flat dental tape. Floss picks are incredibly convenient, but they can make it more difficult to achieve the proper “C-shape” on every tooth. Experiment with a few different types to find your perfect fit.
Proper flossing is a simple habit that is one of the most powerful things you can do for your oral health. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can be confident that your daily routine is doing its job to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.
