Can You Floss Too Much & When to Floss
We all know the importance of properly brushing and flossing our teeth to maintain good oral health and lengthen the lifespan of our teeth. After all, no one wants to lose their teeth to decay or periodontal disease (gum disease), so it’s important that brush and floss properly and that you don’t do over-do it by brushing or flossing too much. If you have questions about how often to floss your teeth or what the proper flossing method is, please contact Cherry Creek Dentist, Dr. Jeff Johnston at Ascent Dental Group.
When to Floss
Flossing just once a day is enough, unless you have something stuck between your teeth that can only be removed with dental floss. Because the bacterial colonies that create plaque take around 24 hours to form completely, flossing more than once per 24-hour period has no real benefits.
If you floss more than once per day, serious damage can occur to your gum tissue, but it’s not only how often you floss that can cause problems. If you floss too vigorously or apply too much pressure on the gums, the gums can bleed and become painful. Eventually, over-flossing can destroy the gum line, which exposes more of the teeth’s root, eventually causing tooth decay and cavities. Tooth decay and cavities will lead to costly dental repairs that you definitely want to avoid. Flossing properly just once a day is the best way to ensure you’re taking good care of your teeth and gums, and if you have any questions about the proper technique for flossing, the team at Ascent Dental Group will be happy to show you how to floss properly.
Some enthusiastic flossers use a saw-like motion to get their teeth as clean as possible. This improper flossing method can wear through the tooth’s enamel and can even result in periodontal bone loss in very extreme cases. Flossing improperly can cause your teeth to become loose and fall out.
Please schedule a dental visit with Dr. Jeff Johnston at Ascent Dental Group today. If you need a dentist in Denver or a surrounding area, you’ve come to the right place. We will not only perform a thorough evaluation of your oral health, but we will show you to brush and floss properly to keep your teeth and gums as healthy for as long as possible.
