If you’re unsure how many times per day you should be flossing, you’re not alone. It turns out that the frequency with which we should be flossing our teeth is a topic of some debate. There are many different recommendations for how often we should be flossing our teeth, and as such, it can be confusing to know what we should be doing. Thankfully, there is no universally correct answer because everyone has different needs and demands on their oral hygiene routine. As such, it’s essential to understand the benefits of flossing and the factors that may influence how often you should do so.

 

What Are the Benefits of Flossing?

Plaque can build up and harden without flossing, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing is the only natural way to remove plaque from in-between teeth since toothbrushes only clean the visible parts of teeth. Flossing is also an essential part of any orthodontic retainer cleaning routine. If you wear a retainer, you’ll know that it must be cleaned thoroughly to prevent gum disease and other issues. This is particularly important if you wear a retainer as part of orthodontic treatment; without proper maintenance, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Even if you have a healthy mouth, regular flossing is essential for preventing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. However, it’s important to note that flossing doesn’t replace brushing. You should always have both an oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits.

 

How Often Should You Floss?

There is no universally correct answer to how often you should be flossing, as we discussed above. Instead, the frequency with which you should be flossing is highly dependent on your specific situation. First, it’s important to look at the frequency with which you’re brushing your teeth. If you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, the recommended frequency for flossing is once a day. If you’re brushing your teeth once a day, the recommended frequency for flossing is two times a day.

 

Frequency by Age

Generally, we are more likely to develop gum disease and tooth decay as we get older. As such, it’s important to be more diligent with your oral hygiene as you get older. Once your teeth have finished growing, it’s recommended that you floss your teeth once a day. If you start to see signs of tooth decay or gum disease, you should clean your teeth more frequently. In your teens, it’s recommended that you floss your teeth once a week. If you have an orthodontic retainer, this is still the case, but you should clean it more often.

 

Frequency Based on Oral Health Needs

If you have some form of oral health issue, you may need to clean your teeth more often. For example, if you suffer from gum disease, it’s recommended to floss your teeth twice a day. If you have sensitive teeth, you should be flossing three times a week. This is because you need to be focusing on reducing the bacterial load in your mouth. You should be flossing once a day if you have braces, preferably before you brush your teeth. This is because you don’t want the floss to slip out of place and between your teeth. If you have dentures, you should be flossing once a day.

 

How Often Should You Floss Based on Your Diet?

If you have a diet high in sugars or carbohydrates, you’re at a much higher risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. You should be flossing more often than those whose diets aren’t as sugary; three times a week is the recommended frequency for these people. If you have a diet high in sticky foods, you should be flossing more often; once a day is regularly recommended for these people.

 

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to how often you should be flossing your teeth. Instead, you need to consider your age, any oral health issues, and your diet to decide how often you should be flossing. If you want to keep your teeth in good shape and avoid the dentist, you’ll need to floss often, at least once a day. Flossing is an essential part of any dental hygiene routine if you want to keep your teeth healthy.