Here's How to Get Patients to Floss for a Healthier Smile 

Do you find yourself constantly telling nearly all of your patients that they need to floss? It’s one of the biggest issues that dentists and dental hygienists run into when getting patients to comply with good oral hygiene. So if reminders are working, here’s how to talk to your patients about the importance of flossing and how to work it into their routine easier. 

Talking About Why Flossing is Important

So those gentle reminders aren’t working. What now? It’s time to have a heart-to-heart with your patient about why flossing is important. Here’s how to approach that talk. 

Start by talking about what happens when you don’t floss regularly, and pay particular attention to those negative consequences that you think your patient is suffering from, whether that is bleeding gums or bad breath. 

Then talk about the long-term issues that can result from not flossing regularly. It’s important that patients understand that not flossing could lead to losing teeth or bone loss that may require dentures at some point. And don’t forget to talk about the body-wide effect, with the spread of inflammation and bacteria, contributing to weight gain, heart disease, and even a higher risk for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and dementia.  

What to Do for Patients who Really Hate Flossing

No matter how much you stress the negative consequences of flossing, there may be some people who just don’t want to do it. The first thing to try is working with the patient on proper flossing techniques plus tips and tricks to make it easier. 

Some common flossing mistakes may make themselves known when working with patients. One issue could be getting confused by the reversed image in the mirror. Have these patients try flossing by feel, rather than by sight. It takes a little more practice, but suggest that they stick to the same pattern (left to right and top to bottom), rather than skipping around. 

Another mistake is that patients don’t use the correct length of floss. It should be at least 18 inches or more, with unused floss wrapped around the middle and ring fingers of both hands. 

A common mistake is to also snap the floss through the contact area between the teeth. This can cause pain and damage the delicate gum tissue. Teach patients to use a sawing motion to slide the floss through the contact. If the patient has very tight contacts, an alternative is to use a floss threader. 

If this still doesn’t work, recommend that your patient invest in other tools to help them remove plaque from between their teeth, such as a water flosser, floss holder, or interdental brush. 

Key Takeaways

No one is perfect when it comes to all their health habits. Like dieting or exercising, skipping a day here or there won’t hurt. But when flossing is neglected, there are always telltale signs such as plaque, calcium buildup, or even gingivitis or periodontitis. By having a frank conversation with patients about the consequences of not flossing regularly and by working with them to improve their flossing techniques, you’ll see better checkups more consistently!