I can tell you that for 98% of my life I didn’t floss. I’d use the occassional toothpick after Chinese restaurant dinners but that’s about it. Then when I get yelled at during my semi annual teeth cleanings, I’d go home and floss for a week before giving up. About 3 years ago, I went in for my cleaning and I got the dreaded “let me check your gum depth” with this tool – you know, the one where they poke around every tooth and start muttering words like “2,3,2,3,4,3,4,5,4,etc” Before that day, the worst number I had gotten was a 5, which I guess I was okay with. However, on that day, she started sputtering a few 6’s, which is BAD. The hygienist then suggested I do a deep cleaning like 4 times a year versus the semi annual I was doing. This also meant that my Delta Dental only covered 2 cleanings a year, so I’d have to pay for the other 2 out of pocket. I think when the shit hit the fan, that’s when I decided to get serious about flossing. I went home and bought a Waterpik and probably used it for a month before I stashed it away.
I forgot exactly when after that appointment when I decided to use a floss pick after EVERY dinner, but I got serious about it. This was different than the other times I had flossed (right before I went to bed;) now when I flossed after dinner, I could see the big chunk of food that was left between my teeth had I not flossed. I think that was the epiphany for me – when I was flossing right before bed, I hardly got any food out since I’m sure it was already dissolved between my teeth. By doing it immediately after eating, I could literally see the difference that flossing made. After a few months, I decided to do it after lunch and eventually did it after breakfast and now I basically do it after I eat anything that I know would stick between my teeth.
I think it was a year after that dreaded teeth cleaning since they only measure your gums once a year. I think I switched to a 4 month cleaning cycle too instead of 3 months or 6 months. Anyway, when the same hygienist measured my gums again, this time, almost all of my teeth were 2 or 3’s. I think I might have had a couple of 4’s, but no more 6’s, which I was proud of. She even told me I no longer needed the deep cleaning or cleaning more than 2 times a year. While I only still brush once a day, it just goes to show that yes, daily flossing will improve your gum depth from 6’s to 3’s and 4’s.
GumChucks are awesome – I think they market them for kids, but they work great and give you the ability to really get the back teeth easily. They have little disposable “cartridges” that I can use a couple times before replacing, and are pretty cheap.
You can get them on Amazon, Walmart, etc.
Are you happy with Delta Dental? I need to get dental insurance so any thoughts are appreciated.
I’ve found that most dental is pretty bad; it’s just finding the least painful of the bunch and picking the high vs basic. Usually, the best ones have no annual limit, no waiting period, and the lowest co-insurance % possible. These are generally all on the “high” vs the “basic” plans. The exception to annual limits is ortho. I’ve never seen one higher than $3500, and that’s a lifetime per person.
Delta has been middle-low depending on the plan but better than nothing.
Thanks. Have you found any plans that you like? I’m a babe in the woods on this topic so sorry to trouble you.
Every region has different options. The most popular is Delta Dental and they are fine for the most part, so just go with them. Then pick the plan within DD that you want.
Amazon $40 cordless water pick also for the win after requesting deep clean. Also floss picks in your car for restaurants etc or steak bbq parties.
Another pro tip buy flourish mouthwash and when adding to the water pick reservoir add a bit of mouthwash there and now you don’t have to rinse separately
Using an electric toothbrush twice a day, everyday as well as flossing and regular check up… Thumbs Up
Well you win a gold star for today
Note, a lot of dental plans now have the standard 2x year cleaning included, but allow a 3rd clean if you have gum disease. Everyone has gum disease, so go ahead and sign up for a clean every 4 months and be within plan.
Right; I forgot if my dentist forwarded the info to get the 3rd and 4th cleaning.
By the way…. This likely does not apply to you but might to another reader…. IF you are deemed Diabetic or Developing Diabetes, supply DELTA dental insurance with a letter stating so from your doctor and they will cover a third cleaning a year. This is true at least in the state of Washington.
Yes, I know this the hard way.
My wake-up call came earlier in life at around 23 years old.
During my cleaning (I hadn’t seen a dentist for a couple of years) the hygienist asked me when I had popcorn. I could not remember, but I knew it had been over a year. She brought up flossing. I found a tool called Dr. Flosser. They discontinued it so I could no longer get refills. You can’t even find a pic on Google of it now. The name has been reused so much. It had cartridges of pre-wound floss you replaced as needed. You’d twist to wind the floss through as you used it. So So I found similar tools. My daily flossing habit stuck.
I now use the floss picks after most meals. I like using my Listerine Ultraclean Access Flosser before brushing. It has a long handle. It’s even easier to use, just not as portable. It is like a hybrid Dr. Flosser/ floss pick, with long-lasting replaceable floss sections.
I have no idea why we have been brought up and trained to floss after brushing. That is how the hygienists do it in the chair. If you wait until after brushing, the brush cannot do as well between teeth. I don’t understand why professionals haven’t adopted this procedural order. I saw someone bring it up on a show and it makes perfect sense. Any food particles left over after flossing get brushed away when you floss first.
Buy a Cordless Waterpik type device and use it in the shower! They have many types to choose from on Amazon under $50.
I use it in the shower, as it only takes a minute – minute and a 1/2 and I don’t have to worry about the mess the WaterPik type device creates. (that’s why I think most don’t use a waterpik – due to the water mess it creates – the cordless use in the shower takes care of that worry).
I also have the 4-5 deep pockets and floss everyday but my pockets have not shrunk. I was told that they can’t?? Curious as to how yours have. But, you’re correct – Flossing is important but more important is keeping your own teeth into old age and not helping to fund the dentists next vacation home!! Oh, and cleanings are less painful!!!
Good tip on the cordless Waterpik and shower.
My gums definitely did shrink. I think you just need to start flossing after every meal to get out the big bits. If you wait too long after a meal (I’d say over an hour, the food starts to dissolve and it’s a bit too late at that point but that’s imo.)