How often should you be flossing?

Ideally, you are should be flossing every night. Yes - Every. Single. Night. I know that that may seem like quite the commitment, but let me explain while. 

Oral plaque starts forming almost immediately after it has been removed. What is plaque?? Plaque is the fuzzy stuff you feel on your teeth at the end of the day! Plaque is a sticky, colorless (or yellowish) biofilm made up of:

1. Bacteria 🦠

• The main component of plaque—there are hundreds of species of bacteria in your mouth!
• Some bacteria are harmless, while others (like Streptococcus mutans) contribute to cavities and gum disease.

2. Saliva 💦

• Contains proteins that help bacteria stick to teeth and form the initial layer of plaque.

3. Food Particles 🍞🍭

• Especially sugars and carbohydrates, which bacteria use to produce acid.
• Acid weakens enamel, leading to cavities.

4. Dead Cells & Bacterial Waste ⚠️

• Shedding cells from the mouth lining, plus toxins and waste from bacteria, contribute to bad breath and gum inflammation.

As previously stated - plaque starts forming almost immediately.

Here’s a rough timeline:

• Within minutes: A thin, invisible layer called the pellicle forms on your teeth. This is made of proteins from your saliva and acts as a base for plaque buildup.
• Within a few hours: Bacteria start attaching to the pellicle and multiplying, beginning the plaque formation process.
• Within 12–24 hours: A noticeable layer of plaque starts to develop.
• After 48 hours: Plaque thickens and becomes more structured, making it harder to remove.
• After 72 hours (3 days): If not removed, plaque can start hardening into tartar (calculus), which requires professional cleaning to remove.

This is why daily brushing and flossing are so important—it keeps plaque from accumulating and turning into stubborn calculus! 

But WHYYY do we even care about removing plaque/calculus? Because plaque and calculus (tartar) cause gum inflammation through a process driven by bacteria and your body's immune response. Here's how it happens:

Step 1: Plaque Accumulates 🦠

• When plaque (a sticky biofilm of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) builds up on your teeth, especially near the gumline, it creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to thrive.

Step 2: Bacteria Release Toxins ☠️

• The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars from food and produce acid and toxins.
• These irritate and damage the gum tissue, making it red and swollen.

Step 3: Your Body Triggers an Immune Response ⚠️

• Your immune system recognizes the bacteria as a threat and sends white blood cells to fight the infection.
• This leads to inflammation, which causes swollen, red, and bleeding gums—a condition known as gingivitis (the early stage of gum disease).

Step 4: Plaque Hardens into Calculus (Tartar) ⏳

• If plaque isn't removed, it absorbs minerals from saliva and hardens into calculus (also called tartar).
• Tartar is rough and attracts more plaque, creating a cycle of bacterial buildup.

Step 5: Inflammation Worsens → Gum Disease (Periodontitis) 🚨

• Long-term inflammation from plaque and tartar can cause gums to pull away from teeth, creating deep pockets where bacteria multiply.
• The chronic immune response destroys gum tissue and bone, leading to loose teeth or even tooth loss.

 

How to Prevent This? 🦷

✅ Brush twice daily to remove plaque.
✅ Floss daily to clean between teeth - TrollTunga Tråd to the rescue!
✅ Use fluoride toothpaste and antibacterial mouthwash.
✅ Get regular dental cleanings to remove tartar before it causes permanent damage.

TrollTunga Tråd is the perfect thickness and texture to be effectively removing plaque before it has a chance to harden into stubborn calculus. It is an extremely effective floss for keeping your gums healthy. The cute packaging and tasty flavors make it even more enjoyable to use which will make it easier for you to stick to a nightly flossing routine!