Top 4 Secrets to Make Flossing Simpler

Most people have a complicated relationship with dental hygiene. If you are around kids, you will find they aren’t as excited to clean their teeth as they are to eat cake or other sugary products that cause dental damage.   

Adults can be guilty of the same behavior, especially when it comes to flossing. While brushing your teeth seems like a no-brainer, many people overlook how important flossing is for dental health. Flossing helps dislodge food stuck between teeth that can build up bacteria resulting in cavities, bad breath, and even gum disease.   

Don’t ignore your dental health. Instead, make flossing a regular staple in your dental hygiene ritual by following these four tips!   

Stick to a Schedule

How did you get into your last healthy habit? Suppose an accountability buddy or free trial offer wasn’t involved. In that case, you might have struggled to find the motivation to go to the gym, eat healthier, or drink enough water might’ve been more difficult. While flossing is a much less social habit, there are still methods to employ to make the habit stick.  

Here are a few different ways to add flossing to your daily to-do list:   

• Use a daily timer to floss   
• Floss while showering  
• Floss while watching TV or waiting in the school pick-up or drop-off line  
• Add flossing to your morning or nightly teeth brushing  

Adding flossing to activities you’re already in the habit of doing will make it seem less of a chore. After a bit, flossing will become as natural to you as washing your hands!   

Learn How to Floss Correctly

You might be frustrated with flossing because you don’t know how to floss correctly. Floss between every tooth once a day. If you have additional questions, be sure to ask your dentist. You can use different tools to help you hold the floss, with various types of floss for teeth spacing as well as your specific dental care needs, flossing brushes, and flossing picks.   

Use Enough Floss While Flossing

Don’t be stingy. Floss is inexpensive. For each teeth cleaning session, you will need 18″ -24″ of floss. Floss each tooth with a fresh length (from the same strand). Flossing shouldn’t be painful, but bleeding may occur for up to 10 days while you get into the habit of flossing daily.   

If bleeding is still an issue after ten days, make an appointment with your dentist. Remember when flossing to use slow, steady, and gentle movements. Find an easy-to-use tool if you have trouble holding your floss or moving it between your teeth. It should also be something you’re comfortable using daily.   

Experience the Benefits of Flossing

A great way to start flossing and stick with it is to recognize its importance. Flossing is directly linked to many health benefits throughout your body – not just your oral hygiene. Daily flossing can contribute to:   

• A longer life  
• Gingivitis prevention  
• Healthy gums  
• Removing 40% of what brushing leaves behind  
• Reduction of bad breath  

Brushing alone is not as effective as brushing paired with a consistent flossing regime. Therefore, to protect your teeth for years to come, it is essential that flossing becomes a regular habit.   

If you need help finding the right tools to make flossing simpler, or you have questions about difficulties with flossing, contact Grimes Dentistry. Our team will point you in the right direction for equipment to meet your specific teeth-care needs.