To think that people who don't floss are a bit gross

[Spikeythistle]

Ok so I admit I didn't used to floss but now I do everyday and I can't believe how much crap you can get out from between your teeth! The thought of that sitting there all day really grosses me out.
I recently went away for a couple of days and forgot to take any floss so when I got back and did floss I got loads of chunky bits of food out and they really stank just like bad breath. Bleurgh!!!

[HoneyDragon]

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[ImportantSpanielBusiness]

How interesting.

I can't shove string between my teeth because the gaps aren't big enough.

HTH

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

So you've been gross for most of your life.

[Hulababy]

I find floss is too wide for my teeth. I have really tiny gaps between them. The dental hygienist has said the same. The floss just tears. We tried tape but it was a similar issue.

I now sometimes use the very smallest TePe interdental brush but even that can be too big for between some of my teeth - guess it also means though that not much can get stuck between them either!

I've never had any issues with my teeth so can't be doing too bad with regular cleaning and mouth wash.

[NoelHeadbands]

So you discovered floss. Woohoo

[TheCatsMeow]

I don't floss and have never had anything wrong with my teeth

Maybe you have gaps big enough to catch lots of food?

[Sallyingforth]

Have a from me.

But don't get it in your teeth or you'll be gross.

[MTPurse]

The only floss that goes in my mouth is Candy Floss, once a year from the fair.

HTH.

[BathshebaDarkstone]

I don't floss, my family apparently have hereditary sensitive gums and I daren't.

[CakeNinja]

I was a religious flosser until I flossed a filling out
Now I don't because I'm too scared to do any more damage but my teeth don't feel as clean. I do miss flossing.

[BankWadger]

Flossing makes my gums bleed a lot. Even after many days of use. So I don't never get much out anyway.
Anything majorly stuck can usually be flicked out with the bristles on the edge of my brush. I just replace my brush regularly.

:P

[ScarlettDarling]

I certainly dont think people who don't floss are gross, but I certainly don't feel as clean if I haven't had time to floss in the mornings.

I'm thinking of getting one of those air flossers , apparently you can do your whole mouth in 30seconds!

[motherinferior]

No, you should floss. All the dental health specialists advise it. Top bloke at the Eastman also told me (I was interviewing him for a feature) that most of the causes of bad breath are the result of not flossing. A significant proportion of stuff doesn't get cleaned off by brushing alone.

I have excellent teeth, btw, and had very few problems in my non-flossing years but the evidence does support flossing and it is important.

[UndramaticPause]

Another anti-flosser here. Never had a filling either so, stick that one in your pipe and smoke it

[sunseeker66]

I really try to floss but my teeth are so close together and I find it quite difficult. My hygienist seems to do it ok.

I bought a waterpik that seems to do an ok job, plus scale and polish every six months at the dentist.

[Nospringflower]

I believe that flossing adds seven years to your life expectancy. Something about antibodies in the bloodstream or something like that ...

[TheCatsMeow]

I believe that flossing adds seven years to your life expectancy.

Link?

[ElderlyKoreanLady]

You'll get a rough reception on this one OP...most people don't floss and have convinced themselves that this doesn't mean their hygiene standards are a bit lax.

I'm with you though...brushing without flossing is the dental equivalent of not wiping your arse properly.

I was having this debate with a family member recently...he said he doesn't floss because he finds the smell of the used floss really unpleasant. Apparently he'd rather leave all that smelly bacteria in his mouth

[motherinferior]

It's totally up to you whether you floss or not, but given that all the experts I've ever interviewed (and I'm talking dental health specialists, not woo-advocates) stress the importance of doing so, I prefer to take their advice .

[vjg13]

Floss picks are the answer for those with tiny gaps, much easier to use. My husband asked the dentist if you need to floss and was told only the teeth you want to keep!

[slightlyglitterbrained]

I use a water pik, and Tepe brushes for some teeth, and (when I can be bothered) floss for the others.

Someone with more conveniently arranged teeth could probably dispense with a couple of those, but for me they clearly remove stuff the other methods (plus brushing) don't.

Think it's something to discuss with your dentist, if you have one.

[IsItMeOr]

Honeydragon like your post .

Flossing didn't seem to be the norm when I was growing up, but I think it's becoming more common now.

I get on well with flossing, but have found that I need to use the TePe brushes to get on top of my gum problems (which I now realise are related to my menstrual cycle). DH can't abide floss or brushes, so he's trying a WaterPik.

I suspect that it's like much advice that it's really helpful for those with gums that are more susceptible to disease, but safest option is for everybody to do it. But if you can't do it, and you are seeing a hygienist every 6 months and they tell your your hygiene is fine, then I can't see the problem.

[HoggleHoggle]

I am obsessed with flossing and likewise don't feel clean until I've done it. Dh doesn't and to be fair I do think it's a bit gross not to, just based on how much food comes out when I do it...

[OutWithTheDogs]

I floss a few times a day and carry floss in my handbag along with toothpaste and a brush. I can't stand the feeling of dirty teeth. If you have sensitive or bleed'y gums then I'd have though that was a sign you need to floss
There are loads of different flosses so if one doesn't work then it would be worth trying another.

Don't think people who don't floss are gross but I cant imagine they have squeaky clean teeth either.

[ricketytickety]

What are you saying? People who don't floss are gross and have bad breath? Evidence please.