Flossing is an unsung hero of dental hygiene. While the toothbrush is often regarded as the primary weapon in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease, it cannot reach into the tight spaces between the teeth where plaque and food debris can easily accumulate. Flossing every day allows people to thoroughly clean these areas and stimulate their gums, but many people have a lot of difficulty getting on board with the habit. Here are a few tips for sticking with your New Year’s resolution to start flossing as dentists recommend.
Know What Can Happen if You Don’t Floss
The mouth is home to billions of bacteria, and not all of them are good for your oral health. If these harmful bacteria are not regularly eliminated from the mouth, they will infect the teeth and gums, resulting in tooth decay and gum disease. While a throbbing toothache and itchy, irritated gums should be motivation enough to get on board with flossing, the situation can get much worse than that. Tooth decay and gum disease can lead to tooth loss, and the bacteria can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, causing dangerous secondary infections like sepsis and pneumonia.
Don’t Expect to Start Flossing Properly Immediately
Flossing can be an awkward habit to start, so don’t get discouraged if you aren’t flossing every day as recommended right off the bat. If you flossed zero times last week and three times this week, that counts as a significant improvement. Many people have difficulty getting used to the sensation of flossing, but rest assured that the bleeding and discomfort will go away after flossing consistently for a few days. If traditional floss just isn’t your preference, you can use floss picks or water flossers instead.
Use an App
Smartphone Apps have helped many people eat right, exercise more, and learn to meditate, and they can be used to improve your dental health as well. Having your phone programmed to remind you to floss can help motivate you to get to work between your teeth every day.
While learning to floss can be a daunting task if you haven’t done it regularly before, it’s important to remember that many people have succeeded in this effort. Improving your oral health is a noble endeavor, and devoting the New Year to forming the habit is a great way to start.
About the Author
Dr. Deval Parmar earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and has completed postgraduate courses in dental implants, Invisalign, and laser dentistry. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Her office in Frisco, TX offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on starting a flossing habit, contact her office online or dial (972) 972-4646.