You probably know you should have your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year — these routine biannual dental visits go a long way toward protecting your lifelong oral health. Teeth cleanings allow your dental hygienist the opportunity to remove tartar, hardened plaque that you can’t get rid of on your own at home.
But professional cleanings aren’t just about your teeth. They’re also about your gums. With your twice-yearly visit, you give your dental care team the chance to assess your gum health. And since nearly half of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease — and gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss — this matters.
Why is gum disease so common? Partially because a lot of people don’t floss.
If you’re gearing up for a teeth cleaning visit here at Family Dental Care in West Palm Beach, Florida, you might be wondering if Dr. Sujay Trivedi and Dr. Michael C. Westcott can tell whether or not you’ve been flossing.
Yes, we can tell if you don’t floss
We’re sorry to break it to you, but yes — your dentist can always tell if regular flossing isn’t part of your usual oral hygiene routine. This actually isn’t that difficult. You could learn to spot the signs of incomplete oral hygiene habits yourself.
Your gums give you away. Someone who brushes and flosses regularly has healthy, pink gums. But when you skip the flossing, your gums show it. They get red, swollen, and sensitive. If you’ve flossed for the first time in a while and found blood on the floss, you’ve seen the evidence yourself.
At our office, Dr. Westcott and Dr. Trivedi have specialized dental tools they can use to evaluate how inflamed your gums are, and determine if you have gingivitis (early-stage gum disease) or periodontitis (more advanced gum disease).
But you don’t need a dental education or specific tools to see if someone has been flossing. If a person’s gums appear red, puffy, or irritated, they’ve probably been skipping this important oral care step.
Flossing before your teeth cleaning
Now, here’s the good news. When you address gingivitis in its early stages, you can reverse it at home. In other words, if you have a few weeks to go before your next dental cleaning, start flossing now. By the time you come to our office, you might have given your gums the care they need to get healthy.
Find what works for you. That could mean leaving traditional string floss in the shower for easy access during your morning routine, or it might mean trying one of the alternative tools recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), such as:
- A water flosser
- Dental picks
- Tiny brushes that can get between your teeth
We can help you find the right option. If you hate flossing, talk with us so our team can help you pinpoint a different tool that might work better for you. We can also teach you proper flossing techniques so you’re sure to get the job done right every time.
For helping in building a healthy flossing habit, addressing gum disease, or protecting your overall oral health, call 561-556-1698 during normal business hours, or book your visit online any time.
FAQs
Yes, we can tell if you don't floss
Will my dentist know I don't floss? ›
If you're not flossing regularly, your dentist will likely be able to tell by looking at your teeth and gums. They may also ask you questions about your oral care routine to better understand how often you're actually flossing.
Is there lack of evidence for flossing? ›
While the scientific evidence for flossing benefits may be somewhat lacking, there's little evidence for any harm or side effects from flossing, and it's low cost. So why not consider making it part of your daily routine? Talk to your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your teeth or gums.
What will your teeth look like if you don't floss? ›
Neglecting to floss can temporarily yellow your teeth. It can contribute to long-term discoloration if you continuously ignore flossing. In severe cases, not flossing can cause your teeth to move in the mouth. Food left unremoved from in between your teeth can cause them to gradually shift.
How many people lie to their dentist about flossing? ›
Here's a sad truth: more than a quarter of Americans admit to lying to their dentist about flossing. And that's not the only thing that people lie about. They might lie about brushing, or perhaps they don't want to admit how they chipped their teeth.
Is it OK if I never floss? ›
Does that mean it's ok to skip flossing? The short answer is no. Cleaning all sides of your teeth, including between your teeth where the toothbrush can't reach, is a good thing.
Can a dentist tell if you haven't been brushing? ›
They evaluate your mouth for signs of plaque buildup, decay, or gum disease. If there's plaque buildup, that may indicate that brushing and flossing haven't been done properly. Similarly, if gum disease or decay is present, this can be another sign of inadequate oral hygiene habits.
Why is flossing no longer recommended? ›
It also reports 'weak evidence' of a reduction in plaque. Because of this, publications like The New York Times (among others) suggested flossing isn't necessary. Yet, dig deeper and you find the reason flossing is no longer recommended in the dietary guidelines is because it isn't well studied.
What happens if you go years without flossing? ›
The first and most obvious consequence of not flossing your teeth is an increased risk of developing cavities, plaque buildup, and gingivitis.
What percent of people don't floss their teeth? ›
Studies show that only 30% of Americans floss at least once a day. Flossing plays an important part in maintaining your oral health, but the majority of people simply don't add it to their daily routine. Here's why flossing is important and how you can make it a habit.
Inadequate brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash makes it easy for plaque to turn into calculus (tartar) -- a hard substance that builds on and between your teeth and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. It can lead to gum recession.
Is it OK to not floss the back teeth? ›
Molars have an awkward, debris-collecting shape, which makes them especially problematic. Tooth decay is not only possible on the front teeth so flossing the back teeth and molars is an important task, no matter how difficult it might seem.
What is the best way to floss teeth without floss? ›
Interdental brushes are usually easier to use than a thread of floss, are just as effective as floss, and are probably your best option if you have braces. Water Flossing: Approved by the ADA as a floss alternative, water flossing is just what it sounds like.
Can my dentist tell I don't floss? ›
The answer is yes. Your dentist can tell if you don't floss. And despite what you may have been told, it's essential to care for your teeth between professional cleanings properly.
What is an improper way of flossing? ›
There is no need to pull the floss at the level of your gum tissue. If your gums aren't healthy, they may bleed, or you can experience pain. If you regularly put pressure on your gums with floss, you could create lasting damage in the tissue in the form of a furrow or cleft. Don't risk it.
Why do dentists ask if you floss? ›
When you open wide and we see that your gums are a bright red instead of fleshy pink, it's one of the first signs that tips us off to poor dental hygiene. Flossing is crucial to clearing away the debris, bacteria, and plaque that hide in the tiny crevices between your teeth.
How much of your teeth do you miss when you don't floss? ›
By skipping the floss, you may be missing up to 40 percent of the surface area of your teeth! Dental floss can work hand-in-hand with your toothbrush to remove more plaque effectively.
How do I know if my dentist is lying? ›
They push for unnecessary procedures: If your dentist is pushing for unnecessary procedures such as fillings or extractions, it's possible they're not being truthful about your oral health. They may be trying to pad their own pockets or push a certain product they receive commission for selling.
What happens if you don't floss every night? ›
If you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria can build up on the teeth and form a layer of plaque. This bacteria feeds on sugar and starch and releases acids that can wear down tooth enamel and expose the sensitive layers of teeth underneath. This is commonly known as tooth decay.
