You’ve heard “brush and floss twice daily” since the time you could sit up in a dentist chair. You’ve tried to be faithful to flossing — but if you’re like most people, you might fall short. There are various reasons why people don’t think they need to floss — it hurts, makes their gums bleed, or they use a mouth rinse instead. But, your dentist tells you to floss for an excellent reason. The dental professionals at iCare Dentistry, in Norcross, GA, explain the common myths about flossing.

Flossing Misconceptions

1. I Should Floss After Brushing

While flossing is always beneficial, the most efficient method is to floss before you brush your teeth. Floss removes debris and food particles, exposing all the tooth surface to the fluoride and cleaning agents in your toothpaste. Flossing preps your teeth and makes brushing more effective.

2. I Shouldn’t Floss If My Gums Bleed

Bleeding gums can signal the presence of bacteria and a precursor to gum disease, meaning you need to floss. Over time, your gums will stop bleeding as the flossing begins to remove plaque and bacteria and your brushing becomes more effective. Likewise, the pain will diminish. If you have tight teeth and find yourself using excessive force when flossing, this may be making your gums bleed as well. Ask your dentist about the best dental products to use, such as flossing tape or sticks.

3. I Don’t Need to Floss Baby Teeth

All teeth need flossing because they’re all subject to decay. When food and bacteria are left in contact with the tooth’s surface, decay and plaque are the results. Keeping baby teeth healthy is crucial to make way for healthy permanent teeth. Encourage your kids to floss by getting fun flavors or playful flossing sticks. Start flossing with your littlest ones early, so they become used to the process.

Flossing is a vital part of good oral hygiene. iCare Dentistry offers dental care for the entire family, including in-house orthodontics, preventive care, tooth fillings and extractions, and gum disease treatment. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (770) 609-6106 for a dentist appointment.