It’s no secret to dentists or their patients— most people just don’t like to floss. Even though the benefits of flossing are numerous (including healthy gums and aiding in the prevention of periodontal disease, which 50% of adults have whether they know it or not), many people simply don’t want to take two minutes out of their day to do it.
In fact, only 4 in 10 Americans floss routinely, and 20 percent never do.
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not your dentist can tell if you floss or not, the answer is yes, we can. In fact, we really don’t even need to ask the question because the difference between patients who floss routinely and those who do not is easy to see.
? So why don’t more people floss?
In many respects, flossing hasn’t made its way into the category of “essential daily hygiene” at this point.
It’s assumed that Americans are supposed to take a bath, wear deodorant, and brush their teeth every day, but unfortunately flossing is still seen by many as something that isn’t required, or is optional for those who are obsessed with having perfect teeth (even though this is far from the truth).
In addition, many patients report pain and bleeding while flossing. While some bleeding is normal, if you are experiencing excessive bleeding or pain, then you need to schedule an appointment with us right away.
? What would people rather do than floss?
• Washing dishes (18%)
• Cleaning toilets (14%)
• Waiting in a checkout line (14%)
• Stuck in traffic (9%)
• Doing taxes (9%)
• Listening to crying children (7%)
• Nails on a chalkboard (7%)
It was a little hard to believe at first, but the numbers don’t lie— Americans really dislike flossing. Really…you’d rather clean a toilet than floss for two minutes?
! If you dislike flossing this much, you may be doing it wrong.
Flossing should not be hard and it should not be painful. If you’re interested in learning the correct technique to maximize results and minimize pain while flossing, you should watch this video from the American Dental Association.
When people understand that they don’t have to be rough on their gums and cause pain in order to get great results, they are usually more receptive to a daily flossing routine.
! If you aren’t flossing, start now.
Flossing is just as important for oral hygiene as brushing your teeth, and it’s something everyone should be doing on a daily basis. If you aren’t flossing, then go ahead and start today.
Remember, your dentist will be able to tell whether or not you’ve been flossing on a consistent basis, so it’s better to just tell the truth!
If it has been a long time since you’ve seen a dentist, but you know that it’s time to book an appointment, we encourage you to contact us at Babylon Dental Care. We understand…life gets busy and sometimes important things like your oral health gets put on the back burner.
No judgement and no hassles. To book your dental appointment at Babylon Dental Care at Great South Bay or Babylon Dental Care at Gateway Plaza, give us a call today!
