Does Flossing Alone Whiten Teeth? We Asked Dentists

Flossing is an essential part of good oral hygiene and has many benefits for your dental health. But can it also whiten your teeth? The short answer is no; flossing alone does not significantly whiten teeth. But flossing is still important. It removes plaque and food particles that brushing can't reach. When done properly, it can help prevent stains and discoloration.

How Flossing Helps Maintain White Teeth

Flossing removes plaque that can build up between teeth and lead to cavities and gum disease. Plaque contains bacteria that produce acids that erode tooth enamel. As enamel erodes, it becomes more porous and stains more easily. By flossing daily, you disrupt plaque and help prevent it from hardening into tartar.

Tartar is a calcified plaque that bonds strongly to teeth. It provides an environment for more plaque and stains to accumulate. The rough surface also makes teeth appear more yellow. Flossing helps keep tartar under control when combined with proper brushing.

When food gets stuck between teeth, bacteria use it to make plaque and acids. Flossing dislodges bits of food that brushing misses. This helps keep teeth cleaner between brushing. Cleaner teeth tend to be whiter.

So, in summary, flossing contributes to whiter teeth by:

• Removing plaque that can lead to enamel erosion and staining
• Preventing plaque from hardening into tartar
• Disrupting plaque and bacteria growth
• Removing trapped food particles that cause decay

But flossing alone is not enough to actively whiten or bleach teeth. The mechanical action of floss simply removes surface buildup. To lift stains in the enamel, specific whitening agents are needed.

Whitening Treatments That Complement Flossing

Here are some whitening options that can make teeth brighter when combined with daily flossing:

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes have gentle scrubs and chemicals that remove surface stains. Common active ingredients include:

• Silica
• baking soda
• hydrogen peroxide
• papain (an enzyme from papaya)

These agents help gently buff and bleach teeth while you brush. Using a whitening toothpaste twice daily along with flossing can moderately improve tooth color over time.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are thin and flexible. They are coated with either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They stick to teeth and apply bleach directly to the surface. Using whitening strips for 30 minutes twice a day can make teeth up to three shades lighter within four weeks.

Professional Whitening Treatments

Dentists can use stronger whitening gels than what you can buy at the store. They do this in their office. A light or laser is often used to accelerate the bleaching. These treatments make your teeth much whiter, up to eight shades lighter. But they are also the most expensive option.

At-Home Whitening Trays

You can use custom whitening trays to apply whitening gel to your teeth at night or for a few hours each day. The results are less immediate than in-office treatments, but significant lightening can be seen within 1-2 weeks. Refills of bleaching gel can be purchased over the counter.

Best Flossing Practices for White Teeth

To get the most whitening and staining prevention benefit from flossing, be sure you're doing it thoroughly and correctly.

Here are some tips for proper flossing techniques:

• Break off 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your middle fingers. Keep a tight grip throughout flossing.
• Gently guide the floss between teeth using a zig-zag motion. Do not snap or forcefully jam floss into spaces.
• With the floss hugged against the side of a tooth, curve it into a C-shape against the adjacent tooth. Gently rub the floss up and down.
• Floss all sides of every tooth, even the backs of your last molars.
• If the floss becomes loose, remove it from your fingers and wrap new floss around the tooth. Aim to use a new section for every 1-2 teeth.
• Floss gently beneath the gumline on each tooth, but avoid snapping the floss under the gums.
• Finish by flossing your tongue to freshen your breath.

Other tips for optimizing the whitening effects of flossing include:

• Floss thoroughly at least once daily - evening is best to remove plaque buildup from that day
• Consider using a whitening floss containing silica or baking soda
• If you have tight teeth, use floss threaders to get the floss through narrow spaces
• Invest in a floss pick if dexterity makes flossing difficult for you
• Avoid staining foods and beverages around the time of flossing - coffee, tea, red wine, etc.
• Brush teeth thoroughly before flossing to help dislodge food particles.

When to Consider Other Whitening Methods

Good flossing keeps teeth white, but tough stains need stronger treatments.

• If teeth are inherently yellowish or have gray undertones, deeper enamel staining is likely. Surface-level flossing and brushing cannot lighten intrinsic discoloration.
• Dark stains from coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and tobacco may penetrate deeper layers of enamel. Complete removal requires lightening agents like hydrogen peroxide.
• If teeth are stained unevenly or have white spots and streaks, this indicates uneven enamel calcification. Flossing cannot even out heterogeneous areas of staining.
• Tartar below the gumline and stains on dental work like fillings, crowns, and veneers will not improve from flossing alone. These require professional cleaning.
• If you're not happy with how well flossing and brushing remove stains, try whitening strips or trays with bleach.
• Be sure to consult your dentist if you have tooth sensitivity, gingivitis, cavities, or other oral health issues before using harsh whitening chemicals.

The Whitening Bottom Line

Flossing is an essential practice for cleaner, healthier teeth. However, its mechanical cleaning action alone is not enough to dramatically brighten stained or discolored teeth.

To make things significantly whiter, you can use hydrogen peroxide or other peroxide bleaches. Still, flossing remains vital for maintaining whiter teeth between professional whitening treatments.

By flossing properly daily, you remove plaque that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and porous enamel prone to stains. To keep your smile fresh and healthy, remember to floss regularly and get dental treatments such as brushing and lightening. Even if you have gum disease, you can keep your teeth for a long time.

FAQ