Flossing is an essential part of an excellent oral hygiene regimen. While many people think brushing alone is sufficient to keep your teeth healthy, a toothbrush is incapable of reaching the tight spaces between the teeth. Dental floss allows the user to thoroughly clean these areas of plaque and food debris that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, but using it can be a difficult habit to start. Here’s how to stick to your New Year’s resolution to get on board with a flossing habit.
Remember Why Not Flossing Is Gross
A huge part of developing a new habit is getting motivated. Thankfully, if you’re having difficulty sticking to a flossing regimen, remembering the consequences of not doing so can give you plenty of reasons to keep trying.
If plaque and food debris are not regularly and thoroughly eliminated from the teeth, they will accumulate and cause nasty oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease. While these problems can lead to tooth loss, bad breath, and a receding gumline if left untreated, they can also lead to dangerous secondary infections like sepsis and pneumonia. They may also lead to issues like cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and dementia.
Struggling with Traditional Floss? Try Some Alternatives
While traditional waxed dental floss is a tried and proven method of cleaning between the teeth, many people find using it to be difficult or frustrating. Thankfully, traditional floss is no longer the only game in town. These days, many people enjoy using disposable floss picks to clean their teeth. Others make use of electric water flossers that use a gentle but firm stream of water to dislodge plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach places. Both of these can be found at pharmacies.
Use a Smartphone Timer or App
Modern technology has allowed many people to improve their lives by organizing their schedules or through apps. Some individuals set a daily timer to remind them when they need to floss. There are even dental health apps that provide more involved assistance such as textual encouragement and hygiene tips. Some apps even make it a game by awarding you points for flossing.
While flossing can be a difficult habit to start, it is well worth it, and millions of people before you have succeeded in the endeavor. Flossing is a crucial part of keeping your smile healthy for life.
About the Practice
White Clay Dental has provided exceptional dental care to the community of Newark, DE for over fifty years. Led by Drs. Donald T. Bond and Timothy D. Ganfield, the staff delivers compassionate service and remarkable results. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on starting a flossing habit, contact the office online or dial (302) 731-4225.