It’s a fact we all know, it’s one that can’t be mistaken, it’s simply indisputable, and yet, we struggle to come through with it. Flossing is one of (if not the) most important parts of our dental health routines, but it tends to be one of the most overlooked parts of our oral hygiene. In fact, less than 30 percent of Americans say that they floss every day, according to U.S. News.
Make Flossing a Habit
Even though more than two-thirds of the population don’t floss every day, it’s not because we don’t know any better. Most people know that flossing is a necessary part of one’s routine — it reaches plaque that a toothbrush can’t, and is better for overall gum health — but we struggle to implement it as a daily ritual. The dentists at Frederick Smiles Dental Care are here to fix that. Here are several tips for making flossing a more normal part of your routine!
Have the right equipment on hand.
It sounds silly, but it’s true all the same — in order to make flossing a habit, you need to have dental floss! This is the bare minimum, of course, because there are a number of other considerations you should keep in mind when getting stocked up.
If you have a permanent retainer, such as the kind on your top and/or bottom row of teeth, you might need to get a flossing wand. This is a hoop-shaped piece of plastic that’s very thin, and can easily thread floss through your retainer, in order to get better flossing access. You might want some kind of flossing stick that has a pick on the end to help get those hard-to-reach places. For some, a water pick is an investment that helps make flossing easier — look at all your options, and invest in the right flossing equipment! This, in turn, is an investment in your health, which is the most important thing that you can possibly spend money on.
Set aside time.
One of the biggest reasons people don’t floss regularly is because — you guessed it — they don’t have the time. Or, at least, they say they don’t have the time. In order to make something a priority, you have to put the time into it. For flossing, you should try to do it at least once a day, before you get ready for bed. This might mean setting aside an additional five minutes in your routine, or starting to get ready for bed a few minutes earlier than normal. It might seem like a big adjustment at the time, but when you make flossing a priority, you’ll quickly fall into a new habit.
Take baby steps.
When you try to make anything stick as a routine, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. If you make a goal, such as “I’m going to floss after every meal, just like my dentist says,” and you haven’t flossed in years (it’s okay to admit it), the chances of you being successful are small to none. By easing into a goal, you’re more likely to be successful. This might mean starting out by just flossing once a week, then slowly increasing to a few times a week, then increasing again to flossing every day. Going about a goal gradually is relevant for anything you do, and nearly always leads to you accomplishing more.
We’ll cover some more facts on flossing and tips in our next blog. Until then, know that the dentists at Frederick Smiles Dental Care are committed, compassionate, and experienced in providing you with the best dental visit possible. Book your next appointment today with our dental clinic!