Flossing is a necessary component of comprehensive oral hygiene, reaching surfaces a toothbrush cannot. Despite its importance, a common concern persists that flossing might physically separate teeth, causing or widening gaps. This fear often leads individuals to avoid the habit, but understanding the actual causes of spacing helps dispel this myth.
Does Flossing Create Spaces Between Teeth?
Flossing does not structurally alter the position of teeth or create new gaps. The floss is too thin, and the force applied during proper use is insufficient to move teeth anchored in the jawbone. What people perceive as a new gap is actually the result of removing accumulated debris and reducing inflammation.
Plaque and food particles build up between teeth, swelling the surrounding gum tissue. This buildup masks the natural contours of the teeth and existing small spaces. When flossing removes this material, the natural space is revealed. Inflamed gums shrink back to a healthier size, making the space more noticeable. The appearance of newly visible space is a sign that the cleaning is working, not that the floss has pushed the teeth apart.
Understanding True Interdental Gaps
Spaces between teeth, known clinically as a diastema, are related to underlying biological and physical factors, not flossing. One factor is the genetic relationship between jaw size and tooth size. If a person inherits a large jaw and smaller teeth, the teeth will naturally be spaced apart.
Another anatomical cause is an oversized labial frenum, the band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum tissue above the front teeth. If this tissue extends too low, it can prevent the two front teeth from coming together, creating a midline gap. The development of gaps in adulthood is often a symptom of advanced periodontal disease. In this condition, infection destroys the supporting tissues and bone, causing teeth to shift, loosen, and migrate, resulting in new or widening spaces.
Proper Flossing Technique
Proper flossing technique is necessary to ensure maximum effectiveness and prevent gum trauma. Begin with about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around your middle fingers and leaving a short section to work with. Gently slide the floss between the teeth using a slight back-and-forth motion, being careful not to snap it forcefully against the gum tissue.
Once the floss is at the gumline, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth, wrapping it around the surface. Slide the floss gently into the space between the tooth and the gum, known as the sulcus, until you feel slight resistance. Using up-and-down motions, rub the side of the tooth before repeating the C-shape and motion on the adjacent tooth.
The Consequences of Skipping Flossing
Neglecting daily interdental cleaning leaves significant bacterial plaque in place. This accumulation leads quickly to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease characterized by red, swollen, and sometimes bleeding gums. While gingivitis is reversible with improved hygiene, unchecked inflammation will progress.
Over time, this progression leads to periodontitis, a more severe disease causing irreversible damage to the bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. As the infection destroys the underlying jawbone, teeth can become loose and shift. This shifting is a genuine cause of gaps and eventual tooth loss. Therefore, flossing is a defense against the true cause of spacing, not the instigator.