How often do you floss your teeth? Fashion Journal readers weigh in

“I’m kind of obsessed and will sing the praises of flossing to everyone.”

It goes without saying that in even the most basic of self-care routines, good oral hygiene should be a non-negotiable (also deodorant – you know who you are). And to avoid issues like plaque build-up, gum disease and stinky breath, flossing should be an important part of that routine.

Kickstart your wellness journey over at our Health section.

It feels like dentists and nagging parents have been preaching the benefits of between-teeth cleaning since the beginning of time. Whether you’re using floss sticks, a water pick flosser or regular old dental floss, every extra step helps. But how often are Fashion Journal readers really whipping out the floss? Here, 22 people share how often they floss their teeth.

Juliet*, 21, she/her

Once a day.

Alex*, 31, they/them

I floss twice a week. I wish I had a water flosser.

Diya*, 24, she/her

Maybe once a week, and no. Miraculously my dentist says I have great teeth. I think it’s because I never drink soft drinks (I’ve never tried Coke in my life, even once).

Evie*, 41, she/her

Nightly, but I probably should do it twice a day.

Bea*, 27, she/her

I don’t floss at all. Admittedly, I also don’t brush my teeth enough – I always brush on the mornings when I’m heading out somewhere for the day, but I don’t brush most nights.

Lena, 23, she/they

Probably five to 10 times a year, especially in the lead-up to a dentist appointment. It’s definitely not enough – I always have the intention to do it more often, but it’s not a habit or part of my routine yet.

Farrah*, 25, she/her

Never. I know I should, but I just don’t.

Thom*, 22, he/him

Twice a month. Having no Ritalin is gonna get me more teeth fillings.

Anna*, 26, she/her

Now I floss three times a week. Previously it was less frequent, and definitely not enough.

Lucielle*, 24, she/her

I floss for about two months after going to the dentist, when they tell me I needed to floss more. Then I eventually stop until I go to the dentist again and they say the same thing, so I floss again for another two months… definitely not enough. I just can’t seem to keep the habit.

Fern*, 30, she/her

I floss every night! For some reason a few years ago it really stuck in my head at the dentist and now I’m kind of obsessed and will sing the praises of flossing to everyone.

Cleo*, 39, she/her

Every day, once a day in the evenings after I brush my teeth. I probably could floss more, like if I had things in my teeth or after meals. Over the years I have had stints of time where I didn’t floss as frequently. I have flossed every day for the past two years and have noticed that it really keeps my gums healthy and teeth a lot cleaner than just teeth brushing alone.

Priscilla*, 24, she/her

Once a day, at night. I know I should do it twice a day but I already use a tongue scraper and mouthwash in the morning, therefore there’s simply no time for a morning floss. I think everyone should floss at least once a day.

Jaime*, 28, she/her

Once a fortnight – no it’s not enough, but some areas bleed. I know I should be doing it once or twice a day. I’m a dental assistant.

Estelle*, 33, she/her

I floss every night before bed and after brushing. Or if during the day I feel like there’s something in my teeth, I’ll get it out.

Jacklyn*, 28, she/her

I brush my teeth twice a day. Like, I’m not even kidding. I’m assuming it’s enough but I have had several Brazilian colleagues who brush and floss after every meal, so maybe I’m missing something. I started flossing twice a day religiously after I couldn’t afford to get a root canal and had to get a tooth extracted instead. It was cheaper short-term at $300 as opposed to $1,800. However, I now have to get a dental implant and a crown where that happened which will cost over $6,000. So the joke’s on me.

Seraphina*, 30, she/her

My teeth trap food so I’m pretty regimented about flossing my teeth most nights. My teeth don’t feel clean without it! If anything, I floss my teeth too much A game changer for me was learning that you have to floss before brushing.

Ellie*, 34, she/her

I floss once every few months. It’s definitely not enough! I feel like my dental hygiene is awful because of years of neglect while suffering through depressive episodes and anxiety. It makes me feel awful, but it just feels so hard a lot of the time.

Daisy*, 29, she/her

Once a day, I got freaked out a year ago after flossing once a week that my teeth were going to fall out (for no other reason than I had my first filling) so now I religiously floss nightly and get them cleaned every six months. My teeth get way more compliments now than before the once-a-day ritual, so honestly don’t pay for whitening products. Just floss your teeth.

Kim*, 26, she/her

I never floss. I brush my teeth every day; I use toothpaste and an electric toothbrush. Flossing doesn’t feel like it should be a necessity for every day.

Yvonne*, 19, she/her

Like four to five times a week. Screw doing that after a night out in town. I think it’s enough. I once told my dentist I flossed every night (a bald-faced lie) and they nodded their head and said they could tell every. Since then, I’ve given myself some grace but I do want to buy a water flosser.

Romy*, 28, she/her

I floss my teeth every morning before I brush them. Although my brother told me he flosses at night so his teeth stay cleaner for longer while he sleeps… which I think is smart and maybe I should switch to evenings too! Either way, once a day is enough – morning or night!

For more dental hygiene tips, head here.