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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask whether you floss your teeth?

178 replies

Honeymint · 22/03/2022 06:15

I just wanted to try a poll really.

Choose
YABU if you floss less than three times a week
YANBU if you floss more than three times a week

I used to floss (almost) every day but it was the first thing to go when I got pregnant as it made me feel so sick.
I mentioned this to a group of friends and none of them floss but they all seem to have perfect teeth anyway.
So I was wondering how common it actually is.

Do you guys floss your teeth? How often etc.

OP posts:
ClariceQuiff · 22/03/2022 07:22

Never. Mine are unevenly spaced so some have too large a gap to make flossing necessary, and others are too tightly jammed in to get floss between.

pisspants · 22/03/2022 07:23

yep I didnt then discovered I had severe gum disease despite no bleeding gums. I now do it every day before bed using the interdontal brushes of different sizes as there are different sizes gaps between my teeth. For some the gap is so small I use floss.
My teeth were great, only had my first filling a few years ago. but hitting 40 was a turning point. The gum disease means it's only a matter of time.for one of my teeth and it's a really visible one.
Lesson learnt: clean between your teeth and make sure you visit a hygeinist regularly.

inmyslippers · 22/03/2022 07:23

Yes interdental brushes. My teeth were in a bad way and they've made world of difference

Funkyslippers · 22/03/2022 07:26

I floss a few times a week, particularly if I can feel some food stuck!

ChristmasCurry · 22/03/2022 07:26

Hate using floss, I use a Waterpik in the shower instead.

AuntieMarys · 22/03/2022 07:27

I use a water flosser daily

Northernsoullover · 22/03/2022 07:28

I use brushes. If you have tightly packed teeth you can get ultra fine ones. It's surprising what you find in the gaps!

horseymum · 22/03/2022 07:31

A relative is a dentist and says ' only floss the teeth you want to keep'. Tip: that's all of them. Although it is really gum health too.

ClinkeyMonkey · 22/03/2022 07:35

No regular flossing here - I do my four front lower teeth once in a while as they are a little crowded. I saw a different dentist from usual at our practice last month and he said everything was very healthy and in good condition. DP flosses and nags me to do it, but I feel if it ain't broke, don't fix it! His gums are a disaster.

Lulu1919 · 22/03/2022 07:36

I use those floss harp sticks
Do it daily

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/03/2022 07:37

@ThatsNotItAtAll

I'm pretty sure flossing is for your gums not teeth.

Perfect teeth are neither use nor ornament if they fall out due to gum disease.

Most people don't have a problem with their gums until 40+ but pregnancy can trigger it earlier.

You're right, it's for gums.
JustBeQuietWontYouPlease · 22/03/2022 07:37

Every night with brushes and water pik with peroxyl in it.

Nicoise · 22/03/2022 07:39

Every day.

violetbunny · 22/03/2022 07:40

I do, twice per day. I also use interdental toothpicks between meals. I had braces so have a few gaps which are basically food traps. I didn't start flossing until my late 20s and have had significantly fewer dental issues since I started (now 40s).

SuffolkBargeWoman · 22/03/2022 07:44

After every meal.
Once I hit menopause I was so pleased I'd invested that time, gums and teeth start to suffer and a history of taking care of them really pays off.
Also food trapped between teeth rots and smells Confused

EBearhug · 22/03/2022 07:52

Not every day, but more than once a week. My teeth are in quite good nick, according to the dentist yesterday, and I have the hygienist later this week.

CockingASnook · 22/03/2022 07:56

I floss every other day. I find that it’s the best way to prevent bad breath. Non-flossers might like to try it once then smell the floss - that’s what your mouth smells like…

edufood · 22/03/2022 13:31

@ChristmasCurry

Hate using floss, I use a Waterpik in the shower instead.

Genius! That's where I've been going wrong!

PattyMelt · 22/03/2022 13:50

I'm a daily flosser, I use Oral B silk flossing tape. It's wider than just floss, so doesn't break off between my teeth.
Ds and Dd use the little brushes and like them.
Our old dentist used to say, you don't have to floss between them all, just the ones you'd like to keep.

ethelredonagoodday · 22/03/2022 13:58

@CockingASnook

I floss every other day. I find that it’s the best way to prevent bad breath. Non-flossers might like to try it once then smell the floss - that’s what your mouth smells like…
Yep same. Probably do every third day, which isn't enough, but better than not at all. My teeth are quite close together, so is definitely needed.
vjg13 · 22/03/2022 14:03

Yes, daily. I have small gaps and prefer floss picks.

Thatswhyimacat · 22/03/2022 14:05

Nope, don't floss and have perfect teeth and gum health. Tooth health is mostly genetic.

Momicrone · 22/03/2022 14:07

Twice a day every day, I have excellent teeth and gums according to dentist

pawpaws2022 · 22/03/2022 14:08

Most days. Use interdental brushes and floss as well

NeedleNoodle3 · 22/03/2022 14:10

Every day.
It’s on the list for the top 10 things to do to live longer.