Most people know that daily flossing is part of proper oral hygiene. But when does a healthy flossing regimen cross the line into compulsion?

I recently came across a blog post describing an individual’s struggle with excessive flossing. He described flossing a minimum of ten times a day, keeping stashes of dental floss in his car, house, and back pack, and flossing with threads of his clothing in a pinch.

Another blogger described her husband’s habit of flossing at least five times a day and carrying floss around with him. She was concerned that he was showing signs of methamphetamine use, since people on meth often engage in “tweaking”, repeated movements requiring fine motor skill and not much thought (such as flossing and picking at the skin).

What line have these people crossed? Are they obsessive-compulsive, drug-addicted, or just extra concerned with dental hygiene?

The American Dental Association recommends flossing once a day. However, according to the Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR, a person who exceeds that recommendation cannot be described as “obsessive-compulsive” unless they have either an obsession or compulsion to floss, or both. They must also be disturbed by the obsession, aware that it is unrealistic, and engage in the compulsive behavior repetitively in an attempt to neutralize the fixation. As for meth users, according the American Dental Association, it is more common for them to neglect dental cleanliness than to over-do it.

So, unless our aforementioned friends are driven to floss by an ongoing preoccupation, they may just be a little neurotic. If our friend’s husband IS using methamphetamines, he is in the minority of users who over-floss. However, if their immoderate flossing is disrupting their lives, they have gone beyond a “healthy flossing regimen” and could probably benefit from professional help.