How does flossing help exactly?

[Space05us]

I took up flossing last week and have been doing it every night before bed.

My question though is what does it do? I've read and have been told it's supposed to remove plaque. Yet every time I've done it the floss comes out of my mouth as clean as when it went in, and I know I'm doing it right.

I'm beginning to think I'm putting myself at higher risk for some form of infection by sticking my hands in my mouth. Yes I wash my hands before, three times as a matter of fact. I clean under my nails too.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It scrapes the plaque off the sides of your teeth. You don't always see them... you know like when you chew those plaque tablets and realize your mouth is covered in the stuff?

[Wiglaf]

Um. It gets food out, not plaque. You people are idiots. There is food. It gets stuck in between the teeth. A brush cannot easily remove it. So you floss. Plaque is a secondary target more commonly removed by a tooth brush. The main thing with floss. Is the food. ****ing hell.

[Space05us]

If you get food stuck between your gum line and teeth perhaps you should consider dentures already.

You don't always see them... you know like when you chew those plaque tablets and realize your mouth is covered in the stuff?

I should get some of your plaque tablets to see if I really am doing something.

[snoopy369]

I agree with both Imran and Wiglaf. It removes food from between your teeth (small particles you perhaps can't see), which are VERY bad for your teeth, as well as removing plaque from them.

It also stimulates your gums, which is important for avoiding gum disease; most of the problem with your gums comes from it not growing adequately along the side of your teeth, and instead receding, exposing more of your tooth. Flossing stimulates it and causes it to grow.

[SlowwHand]

We don't have one dentist here, do we? I never noticed before. We have a few doctors, and lawyers out the ass (of course).
Do we have any car salesmen in the audience?

[Wiglaf]

I just pissed on the Alamo

[SlowwHand]

Wipe the drool off of your chin.

[Wiglaf]

The real concern is wiping the piss off the Alamo.

There is a dentist poster here, JM is one I think. Check your facts

[SlowwHand]

I asked the question, you illiterate baboon.

[Lancer]

I use a toothpick and get the food out, much easier, why floss? Somewhere I have a water pic. Used to put water and mouthwash in it and blast the heck outa everything.

What did I do with that gizmo?

[b etor]

I enjoy flossing immensely. I had to floss two or three times a day when I had braces, and that was annoying because I had to go under the metal wire for each individual spot, but I like it now. It strengthens the gums and removes food. And afterward you can blow air through your all teeth so you know you did a good job. Well, the spaces in between the teeth.

[Lord Avalon]

I agree with both Imran and Wiglaf. It removes food from between your teeth (small particles you perhaps can't see), which are VERY bad for your teeth, as well as removing plaque from them.

It also stimulates your gums, which is important for avoiding gum disease; most of the problem with your gums comes from it not growing adequately along the side of your teeth, and instead receding, exposing more of your tooth. Flossing stimulates it and causes it to grow.

It's not the gum stimulation so much as removing plaque, which if left to build up, leads to gingivitis (and gum disease), which causes the gums to recede.

Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums (Oral Hygiene) @ ADA.org

Proper Flossing @ ADHA.org

[Lorizael]

I enjoy flossing immensely. I had to floss two or three times a day when I had braces, and that was annoying because I had to go under the metal wire for each individual spot, but I like it now. It strengthens the gums and removes food. And afterward you can blow air through your all teeth so you know you did a good job. Well, the spaces in between the teeth.

Fascinating. Tell us more about your immensely enjoyable flossing habits.

[b etor]

Well, I use cinnamon toothpaste, so I like to use cinnamon floss. But cinnamon mouthwash is super expensive so I have to settle for spearmint to soak my retainer in during the day. So I alternate between cinnamon and spearmint floss while greatly favoring the cinnamon.