Here's The 1 Way To Learn If You're Brushing And Flossing Properly, And It's Kind Of Gross

"there's one telltale sign you need to up your flossing game: Your floss stinks when you smell it. "If the floss smells bad, it might indicate plaque buildup with bacteria accumulation, food impaction, or gum inflammation," Dr. Natalie Jeong, the chair of the department of periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, told HuffPost. Here's what stinky floss means - and what you should do about it:"

"According to Jeong, brushing your teeth two times a day - while effective at preventing oral diseases - doesn't fully clean the spaces between your teeth. "Brushing cleans the surfaces of your teeth. However, your toothbrush bristles can't effectively reach between teeth," she explained. Over time, food particles and plaque can harden and develop into tartar, which leads to gum disease."

Flossing once daily reaches interdental spaces that toothbrush bristles cannot access. Brushing twice daily cleans tooth surfaces but can leave food particles and plaque between teeth. Left unchecked, plaque can harden into tartar and contribute to gum disease. Regular flossing reduces gingival inflammation, tooth loss, and tooth decay. A foul odor on used floss commonly indicates bacterial accumulation, trapped food, or gum inflammation. A mild odor after recent eating or infrequent flossing may reflect temporary residue or inefficient brushing and flossing technique.

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