For as long as I can remember, dentists have been asking their patients one very important question: have you been flossing? And despite the fact that patients know this question is coming, flossing still seems to be that one thing that falls to wayside – no matter how committed someone is to their overall oral health!
The reality is that flossing is one of the most fundamental components of any dental care regime. But hey, maybe us dentists don’t do a good enough job explaining WHY that is. Here are some reasons for taking flossing as your new hobby.
Flossing helps you reach the most hard-to-reach parts of your teeth: This ensures a more thorough clean. By getting at the areas closest to the gum line (where rogue food particles and bacteria can sometimes wreck havoc on our mouths), you can prevent tartar buildup, gum disease and even bad breath.
Flossing regularly can even actually make your teeth look whiter and brighter!
While brushing alone is a good start, flossing will allow you to do an even better job. But how do we get ourselves to actually commit to this dreaded act? Here are some tips that might help:
- Map it out: Keep a flossing schedule in your bathroom so you can track your progress and make sure that you never miss a day. You’d be surprised at how much a visual reminder of your good dental habits will motivate you to keep going!
- Get some help: There are plenty of products out there that make flossing much less of a headache. Disposable floss sticks are a great idea for both the young and the old when flossing might seem like too much of a hassle.
- Ease yourself into it: Start out by flossing the top half of your teeth one day and the bottom half the next day, keeping up this pattern until it seems like no work at all! After that, flossing your whole mouth every day will be easy breezy!
- Leave it on the counter: It’s as simple as that! By leaving your floss right in your line of sight, you’re more likely to pick it up and use it!
Try to make flossing not seem like a chore. When you think about how much it can help your oral health, that burden should lift right off your shoulders! And hey, it might even get your dentist off your back!
Need help getting in the habit of flossing or just improving your overall dental care routine? Schedule a consultation with my Davisville dentist office today and let’s work on a plan that brings out the best in your smile. We can’t wait to see you!