Do I need to floss if my teeth are very close together?

BlondeHeadOn

I was having a discussion with a friend about this last night, she was adamant that I should floss my teeth every day.

Now I have tried flossing my teeth, but most of them are very close together and so I find it virtually impossible to work the floss between them. Then if I do manage to get the floss in position, I find it even more difficult to get the damn stuff out again and end up with bits of broken floss between my teeth for week - which feels like I have a brick between my teeth, and can't be good for them surely?

My view now is that if I can't get floss between the teeth then any food can't get in either - so I leave the floss alone and just brush them regularly!

Is this correct? What do other people do?

Dill

My dentist said to floss about twice a week

trace_567

My teeth are very close together and I used to have this problem with flossing, so I didn't really bother. Then I discovered oral B satin tape. Its in a blue container (correction may now be in a white container new packaging) and can be bought from places like boots. However Its good stuff and doesn't get stuck like I used to find with others and also never frays. Its around £2.50. It does have a minty taste, but its not unpleasant at all. Also don't be afraid about it being quite thick (not sure if they do one thats not so wide) But where its sort of waxed or something it glides well so no sticking. Even other so called waxed floss I used to have trouble with, but not this one.

If at all possible you should floss.

Toothsmith

Is it hard to put the floss between them 'cos the gap is all cacked up with tartar??

I would agree with your friend, but I would speak to your dentist before you try forcing anything.

BlondeHeadOn

Toothsmith wrote: »

Is it hard to put the floss between them 'cos the gap is all cacked up with tartar??

I would agree with your friend, but I would speak to your dentist before you try forcing anything.

Not sure about the tartar bit, but even straight after a visit to the dentist for a check-up and clean and polish, I still can't get floss between them! I would assume that there shouldn't be any tartar there after the cleaning?

I will ask my dentist on my next visit, thanks to all!

Toothsmith

If you can feel a difference behin your teeth after the cleaning, then there is a surface that should be cleaned.

It might be that the thinner tape like trace_567 suggested would help, but I wouldn't change anything just yet. Ask the dentist first.

Savvy_Sue

I find the only way i can cope with flossing is to use those little pick things with a short length of floss stretched across.

daphne~sparkle

I have the same problem and have to pull down so hard on floss to get it through that it them cuts into my gums.
I have tried the Floss - the pick things (Aldi box of 100ish for £1) and the mini brush things - think they are called teepees? but always ended up with bleeding gums as the teeth are so tight together it takes force to get anything through so now dont bother and reply on brushing at least twice a day.

tirednewdad

I have to say that i am a qualified dentist. I am also aware that it is bad practice to give out information with out seeing the patient first

I would always recommend you see you dentist or hygienist first and take their advice infront of any advice i am about to impart


Do I need to floss?-
the dentist should measure the health of your gums every exam visit. If they don't, ask them to. It won't cost you any more (unless they find something drastically wrong):p
In nearly all cases patients need to look after the health of thier gums as it will mean they keep their teeth for longer, have fewer fillings and have a reduced chance of getting sensitive teeth.

Floss is tight for a lot of people- one of the easiest ones to use is GLYDE floss which is coated to make it easier to put between the teeth. Make a gentle seasaw motion between the teeth til you past the tight point, Then pull the floss against the tooth as you go further down.
It might bleed. don't worry keep doing it. If they bleed its just cause they are not as healthy as they could be.

Some people find floss too fiddlely- there are floss holders on the market which make it easier (most supermarkets have them)

The Tepe brushes that were mentioned are recommended for larger spaces or food traps. It is very important to remember that if it feels that you are forcing the tepes through then you are probably damaging your gums.

Brushing your teeth hard will help your gums, but is more likely to actually wear away the tooth and make things sensitive in the long term

Mouthwashes help as an addition to floss/tepe, but like anything they have their problems. Check that your mouthwash is a daily use mouthwash (it will say on the bottle). If it is not then you loose the bug killing effect of the mouthwash and it can temparily discolour your teeth.

Hope this helps- AGAIN ALWAYS TAKE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FIRST AND PUT THIER ADVICE INFRONT OF THIS INFORMATION, AS THIS IMFORMATION IS GEGNERALISED AND NOT SPECIFIC TO WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED- (there, i think i've covered myself:p )

FROSTYFRECKLE

My teeth are small and very tightly spaced. I have two extra teeth on my bottom jaw, so my bottom jaw is well packed with teeth. I was advised by my dentist not to floss and instead after my usual brushing, brush again between my teeth, gumline etc with a single tuft tooth brush. Then the usual mouth wash. Was at the dentist for my usual clean and polish and thankfully there was very little build up. Works for me but best speak to your dentist or hygenist. I bought the single tuft toothbrush in my dentist's surgery.:D