Fear of Floss

I know this sounds so odd, but I have a big fear when it comes to my teeth. I’m not sure why but it’s getting in the way of keeping my teeth tip top shape.
I have a huge fear of flossing. I’ve tried, and I quit before I can even get the floss in my mouth.

Does anyone else share this, or have any tips on how to keep my teeth cleaner than just brushing them?

Lauren x

No doesn’t sound odd to me at all. My dentist is always saying you must floss and I always say but am scared to floss in case I pull out a crown lol.
I cannot use the string floss but I use these little (like a very small hacksaw with a tiny thread of floss (as the saw). lol……I know weird description. You juse use them in a sawing motion. I find these the best and the easiest and I’m not one to floss every day. Actually I just recently had to spend 8 sessions at the dentist and he said my flossing is going really well. Little does he know lol.

I also hate flossing and the gross feeling of having to put it through your gums. Eugh. I personally don’t like using the string and prefer those floss brushes as well! I find them easier to use as I really can’t angle floss string to get it into some of the spots! I also have a retainer stuck at the back of my front teeth so I have string floss which I can thread through my teeth. I also find this a bit easier.

I’m thinking that mouth wash would also help!

I’m not sure if this will help but try not to buy the real stringy floss as that can hurt. Buy the minty flavoured waxed floss. It’s wider, is soft on your gums and tastes good too! Hope this helps in some way for when you can floss.

I hate flossing. And my dentist just told me even if I just flossed my problem areas (I have some very crooked teeth in the bottom), then that would be good.

But you know I never floss, and my teeth haven’t fallen out yet LOL

If you haven’t tried it, get an electric toothbrush. I have a Braun Oral B 3000 and it is freakin’ awesome. It gives a MUCH better clean than a manual brush.

Thanks Ladies, so good to know I’m not weird :) x

I have the same problem! I get paranoid of it slipping and damaging my gums or something lol

lol blondeparty…..nope, your not weird :-)

Nothing can really replace flossing and it’s super important. As suggested I’d use an electric toothbrush.

Other things you should be doing (but will not replace flossing):

- Tongue scraping
- Mouthwash.
- Use a tooth pick to remove food after eating.
- Seeing a dentist once yearly

hey bloneparty, no, your not weird and your not alone! i constantly have patients telling me they are scared of flossing because they don’t want to pull fillings out! i promise you this…if your fillings are sound, the floss won’t pull them out. If the floss does pull them out or pull your crown off, its done you a favour as there would have been an underlying problem!

A toothbrush does not clean in-between your teeth. Bacteria is microscopic and can fit quite nicely between your teeth without you even knowing it is there. The only way to get rid of it is with floss!

firstly…the waxed floss is great. it glides easily through your teeth. never ‘saw’ the floss back and for as this damages the gums. Simply slide the floss down the side of the tooth, gently down into the gym and pull the floss forward and through. get your dentist to show you how to do this!

have you heard of TEPE brushes? www.tepe.com …therse are little brushes that work great for people that don’t wish to floss. They come in many different sizes…(i think pink is the smallest and is best for those who have close contacting teeth)…you can angle the bristles and even dip them in some mouthwash before use. I’ve had lots of patients like these!

hey bloneparty, no, your not weird and your not alone! i constantly have patients telling me they are scared of flossing because they don’t want to pull fillings out! i promise you this…if your fillings are sound, the floss won’t pull them out. If the floss does pull them out or pull your crown off, its done you a favour as there would have been an underlying problem!

A toothbrush does not clean in-between your teeth. Bacteria is microscopic and can fit quite nicely between your teeth without you even knowing it is there. The only way to get rid of it is with floss!

firstly…the waxed floss is great. it glides easily through your teeth. never ‘saw’ the floss back and for as this damages the gums. Simply slide the floss down the side of the tooth, gently down into the gym and pull the floss forward and through. get your dentist to show you how to do this!

have you heard of TEPE brushes? www.tepe.com …therse are little brushes that work great for people that don’t wish to floss. They come in many different sizes…(i think pink is the smallest and is best for those who have close contacting teeth)…you can angle the bristles and even dip them in some mouthwash before use. I’ve had lots of patients like these!

Oh wow, thank you so much! This is really helpful. I’ll definitely have a look at that website too. I really want to look after my teeth but I just get really freaked out by flossing!