9 Terrible Excuses For Not Flossing

Nothing drives dentists crazier than a patient who refuses to floss regularly. Believe it or not, they want you to do it for your own health, not because it makes their job more difficult. People tend to come up with the worst excuses for not flossing their teeth, but in the end, they are only putting themselves at risk for numerous health complications. Here is a list of the 10 worst excuses for not flossing that your dentist doesn't want to hear:

1. I Just Used A Toothpick, It's the Same Thing

No, a toothpick is not the same thing as dental floss. Toothpicks are used specifically for picking out food between your teeth. Dental floss is used to remove food and plaque from your teeth. Dental floss is also more effective at cleaning around the gums. And to think, people complain about bleeding gums from dental floss, but poking your gums with a small pointed stick doesn't sound any better.

2. My Hands Are Too Big

This is one of the most ridiculous excuses that will drive dentists crazy. With advances in technology and modern medicine, effective and convenient tools are available to help people get to those hard to reach places with their dental floss. And, unless you're suffering from some strange disorder that gives you banana-hands, you should be able to floss every portion of your mouth. The problem is, most people aren't willing to put in that extra effort to floss in the back.

3. Flossing Makes My Gums Bleed

People complain about bleeding gums when flossing, and use this condition as an excuse to skip it. The funny thing is, the reason why their gums bleed is because they aren't flossing enough. It's surprising how people are so comfortable to seeing bleeding gums, yet if their hands were bleeding, they'd go into a panicked frenzy. Stop the bleeding from your mouth by flossing more.

4. Why Floss When I Go To The Dentist?

Alright, this excuse works...if you have dental cleanings performed every day, and unless you are living inside a dentist's office, or have a stellar health insurance plan, this is not possible. People need to understand that it's a dentist's job to make sure they are properly caring for their teeth, not to actually do it for them. When you pay a visit to the dentist, he or she expects you to have properly maintained teeth and gums through regular brushing and flossing.

5. Flossing Takes Too Long

Perhaps if people were able to see the effects of skipping out on flossing on a regular basis, they would be more inclined to take the time out of their day to do it. Unfortunately, it is impossible to post pictures of tooth decay, gum disease and other forms of yuck-mouth. Flossing is only an extra few minutes out of your day, so time should not be an excuse. Plus, floss is more convenient to use and carry around with you than a toothbrush and toothpaste, so it's a good idea to have some on you at all times.

6. I Brush My Teeth All the Time, So Why Do I Need to Floss?

Unfortunately, frequent brushing is not enough to get all of that plaque build-up in your mouth. While frequent and proper brushing is important for good oral care, flossing your teeth every single day is just as important. People are so concerned with how their teeth appear and how their breath might smell, that they feel more inclined to brush their teeth only rather than brush and floss. What most people don't realize is flossing plays a factor in both appearance and even bad breath. Want proof? If it's been a while since your last flossing, take a string of dental floss and run it through your back molars, then smell. The end result should help convince you to floss a little bit more.

7. There's No Food In My Teeth

Again, flossing is not so much about cleaning debris from between your teeth, but for cleaning the plaque, which you can't really see or feel. It is more important to remove this bacteria from your teeth to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis, not just pick out leftover morsels of popcorn or chicken.

8. My Friend Told Me Not To

Really? Unless your friend is your dentist, this is probably the most ridiculous excuse for not flossing.

9. I Forgot to Pack It

One of the greatest things about dental floss is it's so cheap, it's given away at most dental offices. So, if the stuff is so easy to come-by, why not keep a pack in your travel kit, in your car, at your work desk, in your hand bag, and even on your key chain? Of course, you could always run out to the local market or drug store and pick up a small package for around a buck.

Sources:

• Web MD