It turns out that a lot of us are liars. A recent survey found that more than a quarter of us admit to lying to our dentist about our flossing habits.
We’ve all been there. We’ve all been in the chair, waiting for the doctor to come in while racking our brains, trying to determine when the last time we actually flossed was. If you come up blank, or simply don’t want to face the floss talk then we lie, and claim that we floss daily.
What we don’t realize is that these lies are seriously affecting our oral health. We are underestimating the importance of flossing in relation to gum health every time we lie about our routine. Failing to floss causes gum disease and tooth decay.
By fessing up to your dentist, they can keep their eyes peeled for problems with your gums. Gum disease is treatable, but it is most treatable when caught early.
Next time you are in the dentist’s chair, be honest about your oral health routine. Brushing only cleans three of the five surfaces of your teeth, so when your dentist reads you the riot act about not flossing regularly, you should probably listen.