Are You Fibbing about Flossing?

When you visit your dentist for a checkup, do you lie when you’re asked if you’ve been flossing? If you say, “Sure, I’ve been flossing,” when in fact you haven’t been flossing regularly – or at all – you’re not alone. According to a survey by the American Academy of Periodontology, 27% of adults are fibbing to their dentists about flossing. (We bet quite a few Hendricks County residents are, also.) However, while it can be tempting to embellish your good dental health habits, you’re not fooling anyone.
How does Dr. Jon Erickson at Danville Family Dentistry know that you’re fibbing about flossing? Here are three ways he can tell if you haven’t been honest about your flossing habits.
1. You have tartar buildup between your teeth and under your gums.  
If you haven’t been flossing regularly, plaque can harden on your teeth forming tartar, a mineral buildup. Tartar turns your teeth a yellow or brown color. If our Hendricks County office staff has to use dental instruments to remove the tarter from your teeth above or below your gum line, they’ll know you’re fibbing about flossing.
2. Your gums bleed during your dental cleaning.  
When you don’t floss regularly, plaque, bacteria and food debris get stuck between your teeth, causing inflammation. As a result, your gums will look pink, be swollen and bleed easily. Routine flossing cleans plaque, bacteria and debris from between your teeth and gums and allows the tissue between your teeth to strengthen. Therefore, if you haven’t been flossing regularly, your gums will likely bleed due to inflammation as you have your teeth professionally cleaned.
3. You may have cavities forming between your teeth.  
No matter how well you brush your teeth, you can’t reach the spaces in between your teeth effectively. To clean these areas, you must floss. If cavities are forming between your teeth from tooth decay, that’s a good sign you haven’t been flossing as you should.
You really can’t get away with fibbing about flossing, so why do it? After all, you’re paying Dr. Erickson for his professional service to provide you with the best care for your teeth and gums. If you’re not truthful about your flossing or other dental hygiene habits, how can he accurately and effectively treat your dental needs during your visit? Therefore, help the staff at Danville Family Dentistry by being truthful about your dental hygiene habits, so they can provide you with the best dental care possible. Remember to floss at least once a day, and schedule your dental checkup by contacting our Hendricks County office today.