How Does the Dentist Know If You Haven’t Been Flossing?

We’ve all been there. You just had an exam from the dentist, and they asked the dreaded question, “So, how often do you floss?” You knew it was coming, so you’re prepared to stretch the truth a little. You say something like, “Oh, every other day…..” The silence hangs in the air as the dentist looks at you. You know you’re not being honest about it, but the dentist apparently does so!

How exactly does the dentist know if you floss regularly or not?

Not flossing regularly leads to gingivitis, which is easy to spot if you know what you want.
Gingivitis has some apparent symptoms, including:

• Red and/or bleeding gums
• Swollen or tender gums
• Gums that are receding from the teeth
• Bad breath

Your gums won’t necessarily bleed all the time; however, a thorough cleaning from a dental professional will definitely do the trick. If the dentist or hygienist probes your gums and a few drops of blood show up, it’s a dead giveaway. A dental professional is also more likely to notice receding gums than you are because they are trained to look for the signs.

What about bad breath? You may get used to the smell of your breath and don’t think it’s a problem. But having a friend give it a sniff will help you get an unbiased opinion of it. Bad breath is a result of bacteria in the mouth. And that bacteria is hiding between your teeth and in pockets between your gums and teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, that bacteria continues to grow and leads to many dental problems.

Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day can prevent most dental problems, including cavities, gum disease, and, ultimately, bone and tooth loss.

Flossing specifically addresses those issues.

Many cavities start in between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Gum disease is also a problem that begins, in part, with a lack of flossing. As plaque, bacteria, and tartar build up between the teeth and along the gumline, it causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and leads to infections in the pockets of the gums. If this is left untreated and allowed to continue, it will cause the gums to recede further, leading to more infection and bone loss around the teeth that have infected gums. Once the bone level drops low enough, there is insufficient support to hold the tooth in place, and you begin to lose teeth.

Good oral hygiene can prevent all of this. It is worth taking the time to brush and floss your teeth every day. The benefits of keeping a mouth full of healthy teeth into old age far outweigh any inconvenience involved with taking care of your teeth.

Contact our office today for a dental checkup.