Ask a Family Dentist: How to Turn Flossing into an Everyday Habit

If you continue to floss gently every day, that inflammation will steadily subside. Within seven to ten days of consistent flossing, the tissues will heal, firm up, and stop bleeding entirely. If your gums continue to bleed heavily after two weeks of daily flossing, give us a call so we can check for underlying issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to floss in the morning or at night?

The most important factor is consistency rather than the specific clock time. However, flossing at night before you go to bed is highly recommended. Your salivary flow decreases significantly while you sleep, which means bacteria can multiply much faster during the night if food particles are left trapped between your teeth.

Can a water flosser completely replace traditional string floss?

While a water flosser is an excellent supplemental tool that removes loose debris and washes away bacteria, it cannot completely replace the physical scraping action of string floss. Traditional floss physically rubs against the tooth surface to break up sticky plaque film. For the absolute best results, we recommend using both together.

Should I floss before or after I brush my teeth?

We generally recommend flossing before you brush. When you floss first, you clear out the tight spaces between your teeth. This allows the fluoride and protective ingredients in your toothpaste to travel deeper into those gaps during your brushing routine, providing better overall protection against cavities.

What should I do if my floss constantly tears or gets stuck?

If your dental floss shreds frequently, you may have very tight contacts between your teeth or sharp edges on old fillings. Try switching to a monofilament floss or a ribbon-style floss coated in wax, which glides much smoother. If the problem persists, let us know at your next visit so we can check for rough spots.

At what age should my children start flossing?

You should start flossing your child's teeth as soon as any two teeth grow in close enough to touch each other. This often happens around the age of two to three years old. Because young children lack the physical dexterity to floss effectively on their own, parents should assist them with this task until they are roughly eight to ten years old.