To Floss or Not to Floss: Will It Cause Gaps in Your Teeth?

Summary

Concerned that flossing would cause dental gaps between your teeth? You are not the only one. The question of most people is whether the way they observe oral hygiene routine is more harmful than good. In this post we shall discuss how it is even possible that flossing could cause gaps in teeth and what may most likely be happening and proper ways to floss. We are going to debunk the whole myth and take a closer look at the facts and make you feel more comfortable about your dental care regime.

Introduction

Flossing is something all of us know we ought to do, correct? Dentists talk of it, and all the dental products commercials promise that we have to use it. However, others complain that flossing regularity has led to a change in their teeth movement or emergence of gaps in their mouths. So naturally, the question pops up: does flossing create gaps in teeth? Today, I Dr Jasmeet Bindra the chief dentist at the best dental clinic in Ludhiana will guide you in depth about whether floss create gaps in teeth or not.

Let me take the confusion off the table and jump into what is actually going on in your mouth when you floss.

Does Flossing Create Gaps in Teeth?

The spaces in between the teeth that some individuals can notice after they begin flossing on a regular basis come as a surprise to some people, and they start wondering whether flossing creates the given effect. However, the thing is that flossing does not produce gaps: on the contrary, it helps avoiding the same issues that give birth to gaps themselves

Why It Might Feel Like Flossing Causes Gaps

It is not unusual to notice that something has changed when one starts to floss. Actually, you are actually becoming more conscious about your teeth.

You’re Noticing Pre-Existing Gaps

It could be that when you brush out old built up plaque and food deposits, your teeth will feel more spaced out just because they are cleaned up. It does not mean that flossing induced those gaps, it only demonstrated what existed.

Swollen Gums Were Hiding the Gaps

If you haven’t flossed in a while, your gums might be inflamed. When they start healing due to proper flossing, they shrink back to their natural position, exposing the true shape of the gum line. This can make existing gaps appear more noticeable.

The Right Way to Floss Without Causing Harm

So, it is clarified that flossing does not cause gaps but there is a bad approach to it. An overly intense or wrong flossing could anger your gums all the way to making them a little harmed.

Be Gentle, Not Forceful (Understanding Why does flossing create gaps in teeth)

Flossing: It is not to have a pull with your gums. You may also damage your gum tissue when you snap the floss between your teeth or when you are pushing floss too hard.

How to Floss Properly

• Use about 18 inches of floss so you can use a fresh section for each tooth.
  
• Slide the floss gently between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
  
• Curve it into a “C” shape around the tooth and glide it up and down along the side—not directly into the gums.
  

Floss Picks vs. Traditional Floss

Floss picks may be simpler to employ, even by children or folks with little manual coordination, yet they are not regularly as deep cleaning as floss can be. Conventional floss can be controlled and accessed easier particularly when used properly.

What Actually Causes Gaps in Teeth?

If flossing isn’t to blame, what is?

Gum Disease and Bone Loss

Gum disease is one of the greatest contributors of the gap of teeth. Infected gums may be able to detach themselves to the teeth and in the much-worse state the bone which supports your teeth may be lost.

How Gum Disease Leads to Gaps

• The gums recede, making the teeth appear longer and more spaced.
  
• Supporting bone deteriorates, which affects how teeth are aligned.
  

How Flossing Helps Prevent This

The plaque that causes irritation of the gums and their infection is eliminated with daily flossing. Thus, in the real sense, flossing prevents the process that leads to gaps in the first place.

Shifting Teeth Over Time

Inherently over time, teeth will change their positions. It goes with age and on occasion may also be affected by a lack of teeth or grinding or your bite, not necessarily your flossing.

When to See a Dentist

It is recommended to visit the dentist in case you experience gaps opening rapidly or feel any unfortunate moments as you floss. This may be an indication that something more is going on such as there has been a recession of the gums or abnormalities in the orthodontics.

Benefits of Regular Flossing

Despite the fact that flossing is commonly accursed, its advantages have scientific evidence and years of dental studies.

Keeps Gums Healthy

Flossing cleans unreachable areas like food particles and plaque that are not reached by the brush. This averts inflammations of gums, bleeding and eventually gum disease.

Less Gum Bleeding Over Time

If you’re experiencing bleeding when flossing, don’t stop! With consistent, gentle flossing, your gums should get healthier and the bleeding should subside.

Freshens Breath

Old food clogged in teeth can also give you bad breath. Flossing everyday, helps clean your breath by pulling that placque away.

Prevents Costly Dental Procedures

The health of your gums and teeth will be healthier, and you will not have to undergo such procedures as deep cleaning, fillings, or even replacement of your teeth in the future.

FAQs:

Conclusion

So, does flossing create gaps in teeth? So the quick response is- No, it does not. As a matter of fact, it helps guard your teeth/gums against the self-same issues, which result in spacing- such as gum disease and bone loss. Simply think flossing, just be gentle and use it consistently, and you will not see any difference just yet, so there is nothing to panic about. It is normally an indication that your mouth is improving.