# How many times have you flossed in the past 30 days? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800 "2016-04-10T16:01:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/21 "2016-04-11T01:05:03Z")
I’m about every other day but thorough about it. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/22 "2016-04-11T01:16:32Z")
Every time I brush so at least twice a day. I selected 60 or more in the poll. We used to use Desert Essence but my wife switched us over to J&J’s Reach in mint, probably because it is less expensive and because I go through a container of floss very quickly. I tried floss picks, but I couldn’t escape the feeling that I was placing plaque and gunk from previously flossed teeth into subsequent teeth, even though I rinsed the floss in the pick after each tooth, so I went back to standard floss after two days. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/23 "2016-04-11T01:17:40Z")
I floss twice a year. Or to be more accurate, I get flossed twice a year, by my dentist during checkups. I’ve just never been able to make myself do it, and my dentist has given up excoriating me. Part of it may be due to “fat-finger syndrome.” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/24 "2016-04-11T01:24:06Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I floss twice a year. Or to be more accurate, I get flossed twice a year, by my dentist during checkups. I’ve just never been able to make myself do it, and my dentist has given up excoriating me. Part of it may be due to “fat-finger syndrome.” My answer is once. Because I visited the dentist in the last month ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/25 "2016-04-11T02:16:45Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I floss twice a year. Or to be more accurate, I get flossed twice a year, by my dentist during checkups. I’ve just never been able to make myself do it, and my dentist has given up excoriating me. Part of it may be due to “fat-finger syndrome.” This. Twice a year. My teeth are crammed together by braces so it’s very difficult. A permanent bottom retainer doesn’t help. I have all of my original teeth and have never had a cavity, so I am not buying that it is the end all of everything. ---
**Author:** ![XaMcQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f9ae1b/32.png) [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/26 "2016-04-11T02:28:08Z")
I used to only floss when I had something stuck in my teeth, but last year I had to have gum surgery, so now I floss twice daily, and waterpik, and brush after every meal. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/27 "2016-04-11T09:37:26Z")
OP here, to elaborate. As a kid, I didn’t know what floss was. Carried that tradition into adulthood. Then, around 20 years ago, I made a random New Year’s resolution to floss once a day. I think I’ve missed just a handful of days since. I usually get props at the dentist for taking such good care of my teeth, which is actually a bit embarrassing because they’re pretty jacked up from years of childhood neglect. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/28 "2016-04-11T11:05:43Z")
I floss twice a day (morning and evening). So 60. ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/29 "2016-04-11T11:35:19Z")
I only floss when stuff is stuck between my teeth. However, I do use toothpicks and interdental brushes every day. I did some research about flossing vs toothpicks last year, and the strange thing was that all the English language sites were in favor of flossing while the Dutch ones liked toothpicks. I also learned how to use my electric toothbrush properly, which helps a lot: put it on the side of the tooth such that the brush reaches the edge of the gums. That way, it cleans slightly under the gumline. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/30 "2016-04-11T11:47:13Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > I did some research about flossing vs toothpicks last year, and the strange thing was that all the English language sites were in favor of flossing while the Dutch ones liked toothpicks. Shrug, it’s Tradition. Do Dutch restaurants usually keep little pots of toothpicks around? I’ve only been there for a couple of short visits and didn’t go to a restaurant either time. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/31 "2016-04-11T12:48:18Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Once a day before going to bed. > > If y’all aren’t using floss sticks, start. I used to be one of the “only before the dentist” people since flossing was such a pain in the ass. But with floss sticks, just wiggle a little wand between your teeth and you’re done. > [@spamforbrains](#): > > I use a water-pik. Does that count as flossing? My dentist claims that neither of these are as good as flossing, but that either or both will help me if I don’t floss regularly, and are a decent part-way measure. I suspect if you did both of these carefully, it would be better than floss. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/32 "2016-04-11T13:54:57Z")
For those of you that don’t habitually floss… go ahead and floss your teeth, and then smell the floss you just used. That’s what made me start flossing; the thought that my mouth smelled as dumpster-like as the floss I’d just used grossed me out to no end. ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/33 "2016-04-11T13:55:59Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Shrug, it’s Tradition. Do Dutch restaurants usually keep little pots of toothpicks around? I’ve only been there for a couple of short visits and didn’t go to a restaurant either time. Some do. But for sure American restaurants don’t have floss lying around for their customers to use… But you really don’t want to use the very hard “toothpicks” that are used to skewer bite-sized snacks, use the softer, triangular ones that are sold in the toothbrush/toothpaste isle. ---
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/34 "2016-04-11T14:28:48Z")
There really isn’t much scientific support for flossing: > **[The efficacy of dental floss in addition to a toothbrush on plaque and...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19138178/)** > > The dental professional should determine, on an individual patient basis, whether high-quality flossing is an achievable goal. In light of the results of this comprehensive literature search and critical analysis, it is concluded that a routine... > [@](#): > > RESULTS: > Independent screening of titles and abstracts of 1166 MEDLINE-Pubmed and 187 Cochrane papers resulted in 11 publications that met the eligibility criteria. Mean values and SD were collected by data extraction. Descriptive comparisons are presented for brushing alone or brushing and flossing. **A greater part of the studies did not show a benefit for floss on plaque and clinical parameters of gingivitis.** A meta-analysis was performed for the plaque index and gingival index. > CONCLUSIONS: > The dental professional should determine, on an individual patient basis, whether high-quality flossing is an achievable goal. In light of the results of this comprehensive literature search and critical analysis, **it is concluded that a routine instruction to use floss is not supported by scientific evidence.** [http://www.nature.com/ebd/journal/v13/n1/full/6400835a.html](http://www.nature.com/ebd/journal/v13/n1/full/6400835a.html) > [@](#): > > Conclusions: > There is some evidence from 12 studies that flossing in addition to toothbrushing reduces gingivitis compared to toothbrushing alone. \*\*There is weak, very unreliable evidence from 10 studies that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque at one and three months. \*\*No studies reported the effectiveness of flossing plus toothbrushing for preventing dental caries. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/35 "2016-04-11T14:30:59Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Some do. But for sure American restaurants don’t have floss lying around for their customers to use… > > But you really don’t want to use the very hard “toothpicks” that are used to skewer bite-sized snacks, use the softer, triangular ones that are sold in the toothbrush/toothpaste isle. Yeah, the flat ones. Thanks for the data point. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/36 "2016-04-11T14:33:02Z")
> [@bump](#): > > For those of you that don’t habitually floss… go ahead and floss your teeth, and then smell the floss you just used. > > That’s what made me start flossing; the thought that my mouth smelled as dumpster-like as the floss I’d just used grossed me out to no end. I’ve known people whose mouths still smelled like dumpsters despite flossing regularly. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/37 "2016-04-11T14:33:40Z")
A little over once a day for me. The habit of flossing before I go to bed is strong. I’ve tried to build another one mid-day–just before leaving work, actually; I keep a toothbrush and floss in a drawer at the office. But I often forget. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/38 "2016-04-11T14:38:43Z")
Another vote that modern disposable flosser devices beat the crap out of trying to wind a string around your fingers then stuff 'em in your pie hole to get at your teeth. I prefer the horseshoe-shaped holders with the short handle and string pre-strung across the open end of the horseshoe. Works better than the short fuzzy sticks. With flossers it’s an easy task done 1-2x/day. With loose string it’s a PITA reserved for the hygienist 1-2x/year. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/39 "2016-04-11T14:50:47Z")
> [@Surreal](#): > > There really isn’t much scientific support for flossing: > > [The efficacy of dental floss in addition to a toothbrush on plaque and parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review - PubMed](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19138178) > > [Weak, unreliable evidence suggests flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque | Evidence-Based Dentistry](http://www.nature.com/ebd/journal/v13/n1/full/6400835a.html) The second one supports flossing to reduce gingivitis, which is what it is usually recommended for. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800/40 "2016-04-11T19:45:31Z")
Hi, I’m **gigi** and in the poll I admitted to never flossing. \ However, today’s dentist visit may have scared me straight. I had some 5s around my molars and he said something about “scaling” and “root planing”, and the hygeinist showed me on my X-rays where I have already lost bone between some teeth. :eek: I do not want to lose the urgency of this so I plan to make a big sign in my bathroom reminding me of these dire consequences. If I can do well at my next appointment in four months, these things may be taken off the table. Besides the irreparable bone loss, that is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-have-you-flossed-in-the-past-30-days/751800.md?page=3)