When it comes to a quality dental hygiene routine, the American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing at least once a day.
But what if you want to floss more than once a day? Can you floss too much?
The fact is, if you are flossing correctly, you should be able to floss as often as you like. However, most people are not flossing the way they should, and this can cause damage if they floss too often.
Here, we highlight the signs of too much incorrect flossing and explain why you really don’t always need to floss more than once a day.
Key Takeaways
- Flossing more than once a day is okay with proper technique
- Signs of too much flossing: sore gums, gum recession, irritated or bleeding gums
- Common flossing mistakes: rough flossing, wrong floss type, flossing after brushing, flossing gums instead of teeth, using same floss section for all teeth
- Create a good oral hygiene routine: brush twice a day, floss correctly once a day, and get regular dental cleanings
- Consult a dental professional to learn proper flossing techniques and maintain optimal oral health
Is flossing multiple times a day okay?
Generally, most people do not need to floss more than once a day. The main goal of flossing is to remove plaque and food particles that build up between your teeth over the course of a day. Once you have removed this buildup, flossing again right away won’t typically provide extra benefit.
For general plaque buildup and the need to floss the spaces between teeth, plaque takes 24 to 48 hours before it will begin hardening into tartar. Because of this, flossing once during a 24-hour period is all that is really necessary for preventative dental care.
In some specific situations, like if a large piece of food gets stuck between your teeth, it might be okay to floss again to remove it. However, making it a regular habit to floss multiple times a day can sometimes lead to problems with your gums and teeth. It’s more important to focus on flossing thoroughly and gently once a day.
How do you know if you’re flossing too much?
Flossing too often with the wrong technique can lead to gum damage and irritation, which, in turn, can actually create more dental concerns, such as tooth decay and gum disease. These signs may indicate that your flossing technique needs improvement, and you should limit flossing to once a day until you are able to take to your dentist about better flossing technique options.
1. Gums are sore after flossing
If your gums feel sore or tender right after you floss, it could be a sign that you are being too rough. While some mild tenderness might happen if you are new to flossing or haven’t flossed in a while, your gums should not be consistently painful after you floss.
2. Receding Gums
Gum recession means that your gums are pulling away from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth and the root. Flossing too hard or too often can injure your gum tissue and cause it to recede over time. This can make your teeth appear longer, creating a gap where bacteria can enter and cause tooth decay and gingivitis or gum disease.
3. Irritated Gums
Over-flossing can make your gums red, swollen, or feel itchy. This is a sign of irritation and damage to the delicate gum tissue. Healthy gums should look pink and firm.
4. Persistent Gum Bleeding
It’s common for your gums to bleed a little bit when you first start flossing, especially if your gums are inflamed (swollen) due to plaque buildup. This initial bleeding usually stops within a few days as your gums become healthier.
However, if your gums continue to bleed every time you floss, even after a week or two of regular, gentle flossing, this is not normal. Persistent bleeding is a warning sign that you might be flossing too aggressively and damaging your gums.
5. Increased Tooth Sensitivity
When your gums are damaged or recede, the roots of your teeth can become exposed. The root surface does not have the hard enamel that protects the rest of the tooth. This can lead to increased sensitivity, especially when you eat or drink hot, cold, or sweet things.
6. Visible Cuts or Abrasions on Gums
Flossing too forcefully or using a sawing motion can actually cut or scrape your gums. You might see small red lines or open sores on your gum tissue. These cuts can be painful and can also create openings for bacteria to enter, increasing the risk of infection.
7. Enamel Wear/Damage
Using a harsh back-and-forth sawing motion with the floss can, over time, wear away the enamel (the hard outer layer) of your teeth near the gum line. You might notice that your teeth feel sharp or have grooves where the floss makes contact.
8. Increased Spaces Between Teeth
Aggressively pushing or snapping the floss between your teeth can potentially widen the spaces between them over time. While flossing is meant to clean these spaces, it should be done gently to avoid creating larger gaps.
Common flossing mistakes
The main reason we floss is to remove plaque and food particles from areas where your toothbrush cannot easily reach. These are typically between your teeth and just under the gum line. Doing this helps prevent cavities (holes in your teeth) and gum disease (an infection of the gums). The right way to floss involves using a gentle technique to clean these spaces without harming your gums.
Unfortunately, many people make mistakes when they floss, which can make it less effective or even cause damage. Here are some common flossing mistakes and how to fix them:
Flossing roughly
Why it’s wrong: Flossing with too much force can damage your gums and can cause what is known as a gingival cleft, or a fissure in the gum tissue. Too much pressure or the use of a sawing motion when flossing can cause excessive friction on the surface of the tooth and can break down the enamel, leaving the tooth open to additional dental decay.
How to correct it: Use a gentle, sawing motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Once the floss is just below the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth and gently slide it up and down. Repeat this on the other side of the gap.
Using the wrong type of floss
Why it’s wrong: There are different types of floss available (waxed, unwaxed, tape, etc.). Floss types depend on the amount of space you have between the teeth.
For example, waxed floss is best for those with tight spaces, while dental tape is better for those with large gaps between teeth. Using a floss that shreds easily or is too thick for the spaces between your teeth can be frustrating and ineffective.
How to correct it: Experiment with different types of floss to find one that slides smoothly between your teeth without shredding or getting stuck. If you have tight spaces, a thinner waxed floss might work best. If you have wider spaces, a dental tape might be more effective.
Flossing after brushing
Now, this is a highly debated topic, and many will argue the benefits of both ways. However, a 2018 study showed that flossing before brushing provided better results when it came to reducing interdental plaque.
Why it’s wrong: Flossing before you brush allows the fluoride in your toothpaste to reach the newly cleaned surfaces between your teeth. When you floss first, you loosen the plaque and food particles, and then brushing helps to remove them completely.
How to correct it: Make flossing a part of your routine before you brush your teeth.
Snapping the floss
Why it’s wrong: Forcing the floss down between your teeth with a snapping motion can injure your gum tissue. It can cause pain and even create small cuts.
How to correct it: Gently slide the floss between your teeth using a slow and controlled sawing motion. If the contact point between your teeth is tight, ease the floss through it carefully.
Not flossing deep enough
Why it’s wrong: If you only floss the surface between your teeth and don’t go slightly under the gum line, you are missing a crucial area where plaque and food can get trapped. This can lead to problems like gum disease.
How to correct it: Gently slide the floss down until you feel slight resistance at the gum line. Then, curve the floss into a “C” shape around the side of each tooth, going a little bit under the gum.
Using the same floss for every tooth
Why it’s wrong: If you are using the same piece and section of floss for every tooth, then instead of removing plaque and bacteria, you end up spreading the bacteria from one area of your mouth to another. This defeats the purpose of flossing and can increase the risk of infection.
How to correct it: Use a fresh piece of floss for each section between your teeth. Once you have used a section of floss, discard it.
Flossing too quickly
Why it’s wrong: Rushing through flossing means you are likely not cleaning effectively. You might miss areas or not spend enough time removing the plaque.
How to correct it: Take your time when you floss. Focus on cleaning each space thoroughly and gently. It should take a few minutes to floss your entire mouth properly.
Only flossing when something is stuck
Why it’s wrong: Waiting until you feel food stuck between your teeth means you are missing the daily buildup of plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms and can lead to cavities and gum disease if not removed regularly.
How to correct it: Make flossing a daily habit, even on days when you don’t feel any food stuck in your teeth. This helps to remove plaque before it causes problems.
Flossing the gums instead of the teeth
Why it’s wrong: The purpose of flossing is to clean the sides of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. This includes the small space between teeth and the area where the tooth meets the gum. Focusing only on the gum tissue and not the tooth surface means you are leaving plaque behind on your teeth. Also, flossing in a way that pushes towards the gum line can force plaque and food debris under the gums, potentially leading to irritation and infection.
How to correct it: When you floss, make sure the floss wraps around the side of each tooth in a “C” shape. Gently slide the floss up and down against the surface of the tooth, going slightly under the gum line. When you are near the gum line, use a motion that pulls away from the gums to help remove plaque and prevent pushing it underneath the gum tissue.
Potential risks of Continued Over-Flossing
It’s important to pay attention to the signs that you might be flossing too much or too aggressively. Ignoring these signals can lead to more serious problems with your gums and teeth over time. Here are some potential risks of continuing to over-floss:
- Worsening gum recession: If you keep flossing too hard, your gums can continue to pull away from your teeth. This exposes more of the tooth root.
- Increased tooth sensitivity: As more of the tooth root is exposed due to gum recession, you may experience greater discomfort when eating or drinking hot, cold, or sweet items.
- Increased risk of infection: Cuts and irritation from rough flossing can create openings for bacteria to enter your gums, increasing the chance of gum infections.
- Long-term damage to gum tissue: Over time, aggressive flossing can permanently damage your delicate gum tissue, making it more susceptible to problems.
- Long-term damage to tooth enamel: Sawing the floss back and forth too forcefully can wear down the protective enamel layer of your teeth near the gum line.
Safe Flossing Practices for Healthy Gums
Flossing is a key part of keeping your mouth healthy. When done correctly, it helps prevent gum disease and cavities. Here are some guidelines to help you floss safely and effectively:
Gentle Technique
It’s important to be gentle when you floss. Instead of forcing the floss straight down, use a slow, back-and-forth sawing motion to carefully guide it between your teeth. Once the floss is just below the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against the side of one tooth. Gently slide the floss up and down along the surface of that tooth. Repeat this “C” shape motion on the other tooth in the same space. Remember, your gums are delicate, so avoid any harsh or jerky movements.
Proper Floss Type
There are many different types of floss to choose from. You can find waxed floss, unwaxed floss, dental tape (which is wider and flatter), and even floss picks. The best type of floss for you is one that easily slides between your teeth without shredding or getting stuck. You might need to try a few different kinds to find what works best for you. If you have tight spaces, a thinner waxed floss might be easier to use. If you have wider spaces, dental tape could be a good option.
Frequency
For most people, flossing once a day is enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s often recommended to floss before you brush your teeth. This way, the fluoride in your toothpaste can reach all the surfaces of your teeth after you’ve removed the plaque and food particles.
Avoid Snapping the Floss
Never snap the floss down between your teeth. This sudden force can hurt and cut your gum tissue. Instead, use a gentle sawing motion to ease the floss between your teeth until you feel slight resistance.
Proper Floss Disposal
Always throw away the floss after you use it. Reusing floss can spread bacteria from one part of your mouth to another. Using a fresh piece of floss for each section between your teeth helps to ensure that you are effectively removing plaque and food debris.
When to Seek Professional Dental Advice
While flossing is a great way to care for your teeth and gums at home, there are times when it’s important to get advice from a dental professional. You should schedule an appointment with us if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent bleeding or pain despite gentle flossing: If your gums continue to bleed or feel painful even when you are flossing gently and correctly, this could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be checked.
- Visible gum recession or cuts: Noticing that your gums are pulling away from your teeth or seeing cuts that are not healing could indicate damage that needs professional attention.
- Significant tooth sensitivity: If you develop new or worsening sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, it could be related to gum problems or other dental issues.
- Any concerns about your flossing technique: If you are unsure if you are flossing correctly or have questions about the best way to care for your specific needs, we are here to help. We can offer personalized tips and guidance to ensure you are keeping your mouth healthy.
Creating a quality oral hygiene routine at home
Creating a comprehensive oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day, learning how to properly floss your teeth at least once a day, and getting a dental cleaning every six months helps to maintain good oral health. Learning the proper techniques when it comes to flossing allows you the ability to floss multiple times a day if you need to remove trapped food particles.
Helping you achieve optimal oral health
At New Leaf Rohnert Park, our team of dental professionals and hygienists strives to help you achieve optimal dental health. This begins by ensuring your oral hygiene routine is in top shape. Learning how to properly floss your teeth is essential, and our team members are able to work with you to develop methods that really work to achieve your goals and provide the best benefits.
Click here to learn more about our preventative dentistry and how it can help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Request an appointment online or call the office at (707) 607-8695 today.
