{"id":2748,"date":"2025-07-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/actualitat\/myths-and-truths-about-dental-floss-is-it-really-necessary\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T16:55:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T14:55:02","slug":"myths-and-truths-about-dental-floss-is-it-really-necessary","status":"publish","type":"actualitat","link":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/news\/myths-and-truths-about-dental-floss-is-it-really-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths and truths about dental floss: is it really necessary?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Discover what&#8217;s true (and false) about one of the habits most recommended by dentists.<\/p>\n<p>Brushing your teeth is essential, yes.<\/p>\n<p>But if you only use a brush, you are leaving behind an important part of oral hygiene: the interdental spaces.<\/p>\n<p>Dental floss continues to be, even today, one of the most forgotten parts of many routines&#8230; and also one of the most questioned.<\/p>\n<h2>Is it really essential?<\/h2>\n<h2>Can it hurt your gums?<\/h2>\n<h2>Replace the brush?<\/h2>\n<p>At Cl\u00ednica Cervera we debunk the main myths about flossing and tell you everything you need to know to take better care of your mouth. \u201cIf I brush well, I don&#8217;t need to floss\u201d False.  <\/p>\n<p>Although brushing removes much of the plaque, there are areas where it does not reach: the spaces between the teeth.<\/p>\n<p>Food debris and bacteria accumulate in these corners and can only be removed with dental floss or interproximal brushes.<\/p>\n<p>If they are not cleaned properly, cavities, gingivitis or bad breath can appear.<\/p>\n<p>The General Council of Dentists insists that dental floss is a complement, not a substitute, and its daily use can make a difference in preventing periodontal disease. \u201cDental floss hurts the gums\u201d Only if used incorrectly.  <\/p>\n<p>If applied too forcefully or incorrectly, it can cause small wounds to the gums or make them bleed.<\/p>\n<p>But if it is inserted carefully and gently slid along the sides of the tooth, not only does it not hurt, but it protects against inflammation and plaque buildup.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, if the gums bleed despite good use, it may be a sign of inflammation or gingivitis.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, it is best to consult with the dentist. \u201cOnly adults should use dental floss\u201d Another very widespread myth.  <\/p>\n<p>Although it is true that adults are at greater risk of suffering from periodontal disease, adolescents\u2014and even some children\u2014should also incorporate dental floss when their teeth are close enough together.<\/p>\n<p>Getting used to it from a young age helps establish a more complete hygiene routine and prevent future problems. \u201cThere are alternatives to flossing\u201d True.  <\/p>\n<p>There are other useful tools for cleaning the spaces between the teeth, such as interproximal brushes or oral irrigators.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the shape and spacing of each mouth, it may be advisable to combine techniques or choose the most appropriate one for each case.<\/p>\n<p>The important thing is to never forget interdental cleaning and seek professional advice.<\/p>\n<h2>So&#8230; is it worth it?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, and a lot.<\/p>\n<p>Dental floss is a simple, inexpensive and effective tool for preventing problems that, in the long run, may require more complex treatments.<\/p>\n<p>Using it correctly every day can make a big difference in your oral health.<\/p>\n<p>At Cl\u00ednica Cervera we accompany you to incorporate healthy habits and recommend the most suitable techniques and products for you.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: a healthy mouth does not begin or end with brushing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2912,"template":"","categoria":[67],"class_list":["post-2748","actualitat","type-actualitat","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categoria-salut-bucodental"],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat\/2748","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/actualitat"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2748"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categoria","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categoria?post=2748"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}