10 Common Mistakes People Make with Dental Floss

1. Not Regularly Using Dental Floss

People believe they should floss only when something gets stuck in their teeth. This is not preventative maintenance; this is reactive care. If you floss intermittently, you will allow the plaque and biofilm on your gum tissue to harden into tartar, which will create long-term issues.

Solution:

Floss once every day, at a time that works best for you, and before you go to bed is ideal, obviously. The key to good oral care is consistency. Consistency is what will protect your teeth and gums. Occasional "flossing" in response to something stuck interproximally does not protect your teeth and gums.

2. Flossing Too Aggressively

You may be yanking the floss into position with some force, leading the strands to ‘snap’ into teeth. This may hurt your gums and even damage enamel.

Solution:

Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion, and once you get past the tight contact, curve your floss into a “C” and slide up and down gently against each tooth surface. We often think that by pushing harder, it will clean better, but flossing too aggressively can damage your gums.

3. Not Cleaning Below the Gumline

It's easy to simply clean the tooth surfaces you are able to see and forget about the gumline. However, keep in mind that a lot of plaque and harmful bacteria hide right below the gum.

Solution:

Always curve the floss so that it hugs the tooth and gently slides slightly under the gumline, maybe 1-2 mm, to disrupt the hidden plaque and for better gum health.

4. Using the Wrong Type of Dental Floss

No dental floss will work for every person and every mouth. If you pick the wrong type of dental floss for your teeth, it can be uncomfortable or ineffective. Some people will use a general nylon floss, even when they have tight contacts, braces, or bridges. This can shred the floss or be ineffective.

Solution:

Use the right type of floss depending on your situation:

Common dental floss:

• Waxed: slides in between tight teeth more easily
• Unwaxed: thinner but can shred more easily
• Tape: wider, and great for those with more space between their teeth
• Floss picks: ideal for portable situations
• Super floss: wonderful for braces/dentures

If you wear braces or crowns or have larger spaces in between your teeth, then you want the best dental floss for braces. Super floss or floss threaders would be strongly recommended in these cases.

5. Rushing Through Flossing

Many people give flossing only a few seconds. They are simply running the floss between their teeth without cleaning the contact surface or gumline. If you are skimming through the flossing process, you will likely miss the plaque and food particles that can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Solution:

Proper flossing takes at least 1–2 minutes. Each tooth must be flossed, using a clean section of floss, gently flexing it into a curved "C" shape, and gliding the floss up and down along both sides of the tooth, right at and just beneath the gum line.

Clinic alternative:

If you want faster, professional solutions to enhance your smile while also maintaining oral hygiene, Dental Aesthetics has several in-clinic options for cosmetic treatment. Professional teeth whitening using lasers, composite bonding, or scaling and polishing can all help you attain your desired level of smile enhancement in just one visit. These treatments can offer improvements in both the look of your smile and its health; thus, they can be a great adjunct (or temporary substitute) to your rushed oral care routine.

6. Forgetting the Molars

The back teeth are the most neglected teeth when it comes to flossing. They are hard to access, and people often even skip their molars (especially when they are in a hurry).

Solution

Develop the habit to start at the back of your mouth and methodically work to the front. There are more grooves and surface area on molars where food can be trapped, which enables decay. If you struggle to floss with string floss, use floss picks or specialized angled flossers.

Clinic Alternative

Are you struggling to floss your molars properly? This may be due to overlapping teeth or teeth that are curved or misaligned. At Dental Aesthetics, we can provide orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign, ceramic braces, or lingual braces, to straighten your teeth. Having straighter teeth will help you clean all surfaces of your teeth better, including those tough back teeth.

7. Using Old and/or Frayed Floss

Using the same old piece of string floss or taking string floss from a spool that has been sitting out/dusty/humid may render the floss ineffective and harmful. The frayed ends will chip away plaque and contribute to gum irritation, as well as the possibility of breaking off in your mouth.

Solution:

Replace your floss every several months (or earlier, if you notice it wearing down). Ideally, store your floss in a clean, sealed environment. If the string floss continues to shred while you use it, consider trying a PTFE or waxed floss.

Clinical Alternative:

If your proficiency with flossing is a consistent source of problems and frustration, alternating for cosmetic dental treatments that optimize your oral hygiene may be worthwhile to consider. Some discussions may center on veneers, dental bonding, or teeth whitening.

8. Applying uneven, irregular pressure

If flossing is difficult due to inflammation, sensitivity in your gums, anxiety, or simply because you're too heavy-handed, you may bleed or recede your gums too quickly; if you are too soft, you may not get plaque cleaned at all. Many people have trouble getting the right amount of pressure.

Solution:

The right technique is a firm but gentle touch. The floss should wrap around your tooth in a "C" shape and glide (not snap) under the gumline. You're cleaning, not cutting.

9. Flossing only when needed

People believe they should floss only when something gets stuck in their teeth. This is not preventative maintenance; this is reactive care. If you floss intermittently, you will allow the plaque and biofilm on your gum tissue to harden to tartar, which will create long-term issues.

Solution:

Floss once every day, at a time that works best for you, and before you go to bed is ideal, obviously. The key to good oral care is consistency. Consistency is what will protect your teeth and gums. Occasional "flossing" in response to something stuck interproximally does not protect your teeth and gums.

Clinic alternative:

If you do not floss consistently and need help achieving a picture-perfect smile, Dental Aesthetics now offers aesthetic alternatives to help elevate your smile, like teeth whitening.

10. Not flossing the entire surface of the tooth

Many people floss between their teeth while forgetting to clean both sides of the tooth. They are only cleaning half the space. Not flossing properly can lead to decay/plaque build-up, causing problems on one side of the tooth you thought you were flossing.

Solution:

Once the floss is inserted between teeth, you should hug the other tooth with the floss and move it up and down. Then you do the same for the other tooth. That way, you have cleaned the surfaces properly.

Why should you floss before brushing?

You can brush your teeth to clean the surface of your teeth, but flossing removes the debris, plaque, and bacteria in between your teeth and under the gums, which a toothbrush can't always reach. By skipping flossing, you risk gum disease, stains, and putting your aesthetics at risk. It will remove debris between teeth, allowing the fluoride in your toothpaste to work on more surfaces (if you floss as the last step, you will not be doing this).

Benefits of Dental Floss

Now that you have seen what to avoid when flossing, let's explore the benefits of dental floss and why it is worth getting it right:

• Removes plaque
• Gets rid of plaque and food particles
• Reduces the chance of gum disease
• Freshens breath
• Improves overall oral health
• Supports healthier gums
• Works to decrease inflammation and bleeding

If you have pain from gum bleeding or teeth that seem to have cavities all the time, using proper flossing may be the easiest solution. However, it is important to consult a professional dentist.

Using Dental Floss (Step by Step)

Here is a reminder on how to use dental floss properly:

Step	Process
1	Break off 18 inches of dental floss.
2	Wrap most of the floss around your middle fingers; you should leave 1–2 inches of working floss.
3	Pull the floss tight and gently slide it between the teeth.
4	Once it is between the teeth, you want to curve it in a “C” shape around one tooth and slide it under the gumline.
5	Move the floss up and down a few times.
6	Repeat on the next tooth.
7	Use a clean section of the floss for every gap.

Dental floss is best when it is used daily. Because you do not have consistent flossing in your oral hygiene routine, plaque can build up, which provides a greater opportunity for your gums to get infected and cause long-term problems.

What is the dental floss price in Pakistan?

The price of dental floss can vary across brands, types, and packages. The typical average price of a standard spool of dental floss in Pakistan is between PKR 200 and PKR 800. Particularly, a premium quality or orthodontic dental floss may cost a little bit more, depending on the flavor (mint) or if it is wax-coated or PTFE dental floss.

Conclusion

Flossing is not merely a behavior of cleanliness; it is the bedrock of a confident smile and the condition of our mouth. By avoiding these 10 common mistakes people make with dental floss, you can secure your oral health and take your smile to the next level.

If you continue to forget to floss or are unable to floss properly, our experienced professionals at Dental Aesthetics can help you by continuing to personalize your journey towards good oral health. From clear aligners to ceramic braces, through professional teeth whitening and veneers, Dental Aesthetics can help you get your complete smile makeover.

Now is the time to learn the effective way of flossing and to reach out for a cosmetic consultation. Your dream smile is a click away! The sooner you contact Dental Aesthetics, the sooner you will find out what redefined oral care led by experts really looks like!