We all know we should floss regularly. But, if we’re being honest, it’s a part of the daily oral care routine that’s easy to let fall by the wayside. So, is it really that big of a deal if we don’t floss? And, if it is, how do we actually incorporate it into our daily routine?

Celebrity cosmetic dentist and best-selling author Dr. Catrise Austin reminds us why flossing is an essential part of any oral care routine and gives us some tips on keeping up with it.

You’re about to become a pro at flossing – and we’ll show you how SmileDirectClub’s line of water flossers will help keep it that way. 

Why is flossing so important?

Flossing is critically important because it’s the only way to clean the foundation of your smile.

According to Dr. Austin, “When you’re just brushing your teeth, you’re only reaching about 25% of your mouth, so you’re not getting a full mouth clean.” You also need to clean between your teeth and below the gumline where your teeth connect to the bone. “The bone is what keeps your teeth strong and healthy and allows you to chew, talk, and function every day,” says Dr. Austin.

What happens if you don’t floss?

If you don’t floss, it can be damaging to your oral health.

All the foods you eat on a given day sit between your teeth and below your gumline. Cue bad breath. And if you let it go on, you might even “cause plaque to build up and eventually get a cavity,” says Dr Austin.

But bad breath and cavities are just the beginning.

According to Dr. Austin, “If you don’t floss every day, you’re going to see some of the common signs of gum disease. Your gums will become red and tender and start to bleed.” The more advanced your gum disease gets, the more the foundation of your smile will start to deteriorate. “And if you don’t catch it early, you’ll start to see your bone levels deteriorate and your teeth will become loose.”

Without flossing, you may need deep cleanings, surgeries, fillings, or even root canals. It could get expensive and painful.

It’s best to keep the foundation of your smile clean.

“Just the simple act of brushing and flossing can help reduce the need for advanced dental care” says Dr. Austin.

Do you need to do it every day?

Dr. Austin recommends flossing three times a day. She says, “it’s best to floss in the morning, after lunch, and before bed so you don’t go to sleep and allow the sugars and the plaque to marinate on your teeth all night long.”

If you can only get to it once a day, the best time is at night, before bed.

Ways to floss

There are lots of options for flossing. It’s best to go for the style that you enjoy most so that it’s easier to make it a regular part of your routine.

Floss picks and string floss are just fine for on-the-go use during the day. But for your morning and night routine, a water flosser is 50% more effective than string.¹

So, which one is right for you? SmileDirectClub has great options to fit your schedule, your space, and your budget.

• Our handheld Complete Clean Water Flosser is our bestseller. It’s easy to maneuver and packs 90 seconds of power so you don’t have to refill it in the middle of flossing. Who wants to refill mid-stream when you’ve got your floss groove going?
• Our collapsible, handheld Pop-up Water Flosser is small but mighty. It’s waterproof, packs 60 seconds of flossing power, and holds a single charge for up to one month. This is a great option for travel or smaller spaces.
• Our Space Saver Countertop Flosser is perfect for those with minimal counterspace. With a unique storage system, it’s easily broken down and packed into a drawer or cabinet.
• Our Countertop Water Flosser is a larger option that offers 120 seconds of flossing power – 33% more flossing time than the leading model.² That’s more than enough flossing power for even the peskiest popcorn kernels.

All of SmileDirectClub’s water flossers are also great for those with dental implants, dentures, a bridge, or other dental fixtures.

Tips on incorporating it into your routine

We know people will notice if we don’t brush our teeth. But, over time, not flossing will have the same effects. If it’s not already a habit, it’s going to take a little work to make it part of your oral care routine. Here are 3 things you can do to make it stick:

1. Set a reminder on your phone. Or, if you already have too many of those, invite yourself to a calendar event.
2. Leave your SmileDirectClub water flosser in plain sight. It’s a beauty that’ll beg for your attention.
3. Write a flossing reminder sticky note and leave it on your bathroom mirror. Old school, but effective.

“Until more modern devices – like SmileDirectClub’s water flossers – became available, flossing felt like a cumbersome, frustrating extra step for some people. But, keeping the foundation of your smile healthy is super important,” says Dr Austin. It takes just a couple of minutes every day. And with the help of your SmileDirectClub water flosser, it’ll be a breeze.

¹Based on improvement to gum health (reduction in gingival bleeding). Results from independent study. Data on file at SmileDirectClub.

²“Lasts 33% longer” claim is based on a comparison against Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser’s tank capacity of 90 seconds.