12606 A Lake Ridge Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 491-2131

Are You Honest About Your Flossing?

Are You Honest About Your Flossing?

Flossing Are you actually flossing as much as you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy?

How often do you floss your teeth? While you may be able to admit to yourself how often you truly floss, it seems that a lot of people have trouble being honest with their Woodbridge dentist, Dr. Charles L. Sour, about their oral care habits. In fact, a recent survey found that many patients are lying to their dentists about how often they floss. About 27 percent said they actually lie about flossing every day. So, where do you fall on the flossing spectrum? Find out the importance of flossing and why you should be giving daily flossing an honest try.

Does it matter when I floss?

You’ve probably heard dental experts tout the benefits of flossing before brushing while others may argue for brushing before flossing, but as long as you floss effectively that’s what really matters to your Woodbridge dentist. If you think that you’re more likely to floss if you do it in the morning before work rather than when you are ready to fall into bed, then do it at a time that works best for you.

This same survey found that about 14 percent found unpleasant habits like cleaning the toilet better than flossing each day! So whatever habits are going to make it easier for you to floss each day are probably the right ones.

Why is flossing so important?

While we all know the importance of brushing our teeth many of us don’t understand the benefits that flossing offers, making it harder to understand why we need to do it. Flossing and brushing offer a more effective clean than just brushing alone. Since your toothbrush can’t get into all those hard-to-reach spots between teeth, this is where floss comes in. Floss helps to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth so it doesn’t cause decay or gum disease.

Those who don’t floss are also more likely to develop gum disease, a condition that not only wreaks havoc on your smile but has also been linked to the development of serious systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Protect your smile and your overall health, and start flossing today!

If you’re already a daily flosser we applaud you for your efforts. Just be aware that even those with the best at-home oral regime will still need to see their Woodbridge dentist every six months for cleanings and exams. We all miss spots when we brush, and it’s only through these cleanings that we can remove plaque, tartar and other debris to give you a truly clean smile. Call us today to schedule your biannual visit with us.