[jabag11]

As in, our teeth, how many teeth back do we really need to floss? Like OK, you know the two front teeth on the top tow, pick one and count back 5 teeth including the one you started counting from, that's how far back I floss. So my question is, do we really need to floss the teeth back there? That is a true pain.

And also, do we really need to floss in the morning as well? Because isn't flossing to get rid of food in between teeth? What food would be in between teeth in the morning? It's already all flossed out from the previous night..

[WallyHelps]

I'm not a dentist, but a firm believer in flossing.

From the American Dental Association:

In addition to removing food trapped between the teeth, floss also removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it has a chance to harden into plaque. A toothbrush cannot clean effectively in these tight spaces.

Plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar, a hard mineral deposit that forms on teeth and can only be removed through professional cleaning by a dental professional. When this happens, brushing and cleaning between teeth become more difficult, and gum tissue can become swollen or may bleed. This condition is called gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.

Flossing helps remove debris and interproximal dental plaque, the plaque that collects between two teeth. Dental floss helps clean these hard-to-reach tooth surfaces and reduces the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay.

So to answer your questions:

1. You should floss all the way to the back
   Bacteria grow between each tooth.
2. Flossing in the morning is the best time
   This removes all the bacteria that multiplied during the night

Flossing is a royal pain, I admit. But having healthy teeth and gums is worth quite a bit of effort.

Hope this helps,
WallyH

[jabag11]

Thank you!

[flossie]

Definitely floss to the very back, behind the very last teeth. It will feel odd since the tooth is not in contact with another. I always tell my clients to floss when they have the time to do a thorough job. It is recommended that flossing be done once every 24 hours. If you are sitting watching TV at the same time of day every day, that is the perfect time to floss! A thorough job won't be done if you are in a rush getting ready for work or school or too tired right before crawling in to bed. Flossing is much easier when you don't do it in front of a mirror. The more often you floss, the easier it will become.