Is flossing really important in dental hygeine?

Yes: Flossing well daily takes only minutes and is the only way to remove the invisible bacterial film (plaque) that is responsible for tooth decay between teeth and gum disease. There is no other disease which affects over 90% of the population, but which is largely preventable for less than $10 per year, but that is the case for gum disease and many patients just don't want to accept that fact.

Absolutely: If you don't floss you are only cleaning 60% of the tooth with brushing (the chewing surface, the front and back sides - but not the sides where the teeth meet - so 3 out of 5 sides). Most decay and periodontal disease begins between teeth - because that is the site most often ignored.

Yes: Brushing only cleans 70% of the area of the teeth. Flossing cleans the area not reached by brushing. It helps prevent gum disease.

Absolutely : Flossing is as important as brushing if not even more, if you think of teeth as small boxes right next to each other, brushing cleans only 3 surfaces out of the 5 surfaces of each box leaving two surfaces of each box ( tooth) uncleaned leading to cavities between teeth and gum disease and eventually periodontal destruction , so by flossing before brushing you are cleaning all surfaces of your teeth.

Absolutely: We have a cute poster in our offie that sums up the answer: "only floss those teeth you want to keep!".

Yes: You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep!

Yes: Brushing does not clean the tenter proximal surfaces , or contact areas between teeth. Brush your teeth after a meal, then floss. You will be amazed how much debris and "stuff" you will remove! and how much cleaner your mouth will feel.