◉ Choose a Trigger
Start with a simple and obvious trigger. This is the same as setting a reminder to floss. You may opt to floss before going to bed. If brushing after dinner is already a solid routine for you, make sure to keep your floss where your toothbrush is, and reach out for your floss before brushing your teeth. This way, you reduce your chances of forgetting about it.
◉ Keep it easy
You don’t need to be in front of a bathroom mirror to floss. You can easily turn floss into a habit by strongly upholding its use wherever you go. For instance, just like keeping spare change squirreled everywhere for emergencies, keep a stash of floss in your car, bag, or office drawer. Also, the use of portable flossing devices such as a flossing stick will help you to floss your teeth, whenever the thought kicks in.
◉ Focus on the positive
There are a plethora of positives to flossing, which extends from the health of your teeth and gums to enhancing your overall appearance. Instead of thinking of flossing as a chore, enjoy the feeling of having clean teeth! Flossing also means you’re always ‘photo-ready’. Who would want to be forever caught in pictures with bits of salad in between their teeth anyway?
Flossing Care Tips
Listed below are some of the tips that will help you to exercise the flossing habit with care:
◉ Unfamiliar objects to clean teeth: Do not use unfamiliar items such as a fork, safety pins, knife, etc., to clear the dirt stuck between your teeth. As a result of this, you may experience bleeding gums or even a severe toothache. Hence, only use conventional flossing since these unfamiliar items can harm the teeth.
◉ Flossing at a young age: Instill the habit of flossing among children at a young age. This will help encourage them to floss daily and maintain excellent oral hygiene. It can also help to avoid the risks of dental caries amongst kids and enhance the development of their adult teeth.
◉ Only use Dental Tools: Use only tools designed to clean your teeth. Case in point: string floss, tiny brushes, etc. These familiar cleaning tools will help preserve the health of your gums and teeth and ensures that only clean dental products enter your mouth.
◉ Using the correct Flossing Tool: Make sure to use the appropriate flossing tool. For instance, if the debris is stuck in the hard-to-reach places of your mouth, you can use “dental picks” for this purpose. Similarly, if you have braces on your teeth or any other dental work that makes flossing difficult, then make use of “water flossers” or “floss threaders”.
◉ Consult your Dentist: Do not get muddled or overwhelmed by the extensive variety of flossing options available to you. Instead, before selecting a dental floss of your choice, always make sure to consult your dentist. They will recommend a suitable flossing appliance that will suit all your oral hygiene needs.
◉ Using the Correct Flossing Technique: There are different flossing techniques to follow. So, be sure to pick a flossing method that best suits your dental needs. Cleaning between the narrow gaps of your teeth can be challenging. However, by using the right approach to oral hygiene, you can maintain a lifetime of great smiles.
◉ Routine Dental Check-up: Although our dentists recommend flossing to clean your teeth and avoid further dental work, you still need to visit the dentist regularly to make sure all the vital components of your mouth are in good condition. Sometimes if the debris is just too much for the toothbrush or the floss to handle, you may need to get your teeth professionally cleaned.
Flossing has a tremendous impact on our oral health. This is one of the most organic yet effective dental cleaning practices. Work out a plan that’s easy for you to stick to. Soon, flossing will become one of the healthiest habits you have before you know it.
