5 Tips That Motivate Busy People to Floss

When you go to the dentist for your regular cleanings and checkups, are you told that you aren’t flossing enough? You may wish the was a shortcut to avoid being told this, but unfortunately, there isn’t one. Flossing is crucial to maintain excellent oral health. That’s why trying to do it more often makes a perfect New Year’s resolution. Read on to learn more from your dentist about why flossing is so important as well as some tips to help you get started.

Why Is Flossing So Important?

As much as brushing twice a day helps you to keep your smile healthy, it isn’t good enough on its own. There are certain areas of the mouth that your toothbrush can’t quite reach. Even if you are an excellent brusher, no one is perfect. When you use dental floss, you are able to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth and beneath the gumline. This way, you can further reduce your chances of developing tooth decay and periodontal disease.

5 Tips to Help You Stay on Track with Regular Flossing

It’s easy to fall off track when you are trying to incorporate something new into your routine. Here are some tips to help:

Ask Yourself: Why Aren’t I Flossing?

When you don’t floss as often as you should, there ought to be a reason behind it. For instance, if you are exhausted at night and forget to floss before bed, try setting a reminder to go off before you hit the trail. This way, it won’t slip your mind. If you don’t floss because you don’t like to, a new way of flossing may be beneficial. You can find disposable flossers or floss holders that can help make the job easier and more pleasant.

Set a Realistic Goal

Chances are that you won’t go from never flossing to flossing daily overnight. Taking baby steps is key. Start out by flossing twice a week and gradually work your way up to flossing once a day.

Know the Risks of Not Flossing

If you don’t floss, you are much more likely to end up with gum disease. When left to progress, this condition can leave you with gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. It is also linked to other issues in the body, like diabetes, heart disease, and preterm labor for pregnant women.

Don’t Get Discouraged by Bleeding

It is possible that your gums will bleed if you haven’t flossed in a while. This isn’t a sign that you should discontinue. Bacteria, plaque, and tartar along your gumline irritates and inflames your gums. When you attempt to remove that buildup by brushing or flossing, your swollen, inflamed gums start to bleed. After flossing regularly for a few days, this should stop. If it doesn’t, this could mean that you have gum disease. Talk to your dentist so you can work on a solution.

Reward Yourself

It takes hard work to change up your normal habits, so allow yourself to have a little treat to congratulate yourself for this milestone!

Little changes can lead to big improvements, and that’s certainly the case with flossing. By getting started now, you can show off a healthier smile!

About the Author

Dr. Vance Harper earned his dental doctorate from the Tufts School of Dental Medicine in Boston before going on to get an advanced degree in General Dentistry through his residency at the NYU College of Dentistry. He has also been certified by the New York Implant Institute. To learn more about oral hygiene, or to schedule an appointment at his office in Wethersfield, visit his website or call (860) 400-3007.