How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution to Floss More

Have you decided what your resolutions are going to be for the new year? If not, consider making one’s for your oral health! For example, try to make a point of flossing your teeth more often. This will improve the look of your smile as well as make you less likely to run into oral health issues. To help you stay on track with your New Year’s resolution for a healthier smile, here’s why flossing is important as well as five tips that will help you incorporate it into your daily oral hygiene routine.

Why Is Flossing Important?

According to the American Dental Association, people should clean between their teeth at least once per day. While brushing your teeth removes approximately 60% of plaque from your teeth, the other 40% hides in places your toothbrush can’t easily reach, including between your pearly whites, just underneath your gum line, and behind your back molars. If you don’t floss your teeth at least once per day to remove this plaque, you sharply increase your chances of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.

5 Tips to Turn Flossing into a Habit

Now that you know how important flossing is, it should be easy to incorporate it into your daily oral hygiene routine, right? Unfortunately, it isn’t always that easy. If you’re still struggling to floss your teeth daily, check out these five tips that will help you turn it into a good habit:

• Start slow –Going from not flossing at all to flossing your teeth every day is easier said than done. To ease yourself into things, start flossing your teeth every few days and work your way up from there.
• Refresh yourself on how to floss –Proper technique is an important part of flossing. If you don’t remember the right way to do it, try looking at a diagram or watching a video to refresh your memory.
• Use the product that’s right for you –There are a variety of types of dental floss, including waxed, non-waxed, different flavors, and different thicknesses. Pick one that matches your preferences so you’re more likely to use it as intended.
• Remind yourself to floss –Keep your dental floss somewhere easily accessible, such as near your toothbrush. This will make it easier to remember to floss as part of your oral hygiene routine. Additionally, you may want to consider setting reminders on your phone to help you get used to incorporating flossing your teeth into your day.
• Make flossing convenient –Keep dental floss in your car or purse. Though it’s generally best to floss before you go to bed, this will make it more convenient, so you’ll be more likely to do it at least once during the day.  

Flossing is an important part of caring for your smile, but it can take some time to get used to. By committing to maintaining a healthier smile in the new year, you can keep dental issues at bay!

About the Practice

Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills strives to help patients of all ages learn the most effective methods to care for and maintain healthy smiles. They offer a range of preventive services designed to keep oral health issues from developing so you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Are you interested in setting up an appointment or have questions about flossing? If so, call Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills at (410) 902-4110 or visit their website.