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Most New Year’s Resolutions revolve around health and wellness, which results in a lot of people going for a run, hitting the gym, and/or changing up their diet. While these practices are fantastic, the results of them won’t be obvious for a few months, which can be discouraging. Fortunately, deciding to floss more often requires relatively little effort, and the benefits will be apparent almost immediately. If you’ve decided to make it part of your routine in 2025, here’s how to get started and stick to it.
A Quick Refresher
Why does flossing matter in the first place? Basically, the food and drink you consume throughout the day leave particles and leftover sugar in your mouth, which the bad bacteria use as fuel. This gives them the energy they need to produce an acidic substance called plaque, which is what actually causes cavities (along with several other oral health issues).
Brushing makes sure the plaque doesn’t accumulate too much on the surface of your teeth, and flossing removes it from in between. When you don’t floss, you leave as much as 40% of your mouth unclean, which can ultimately lead to decay, toothaches, gum disease, and eventually…tooth loss! Thankfully, brushing and flossing consistently can prevent this from happening while also giving you fresher breath and that nice clean sensation you get after a trip to the dentist.
Start Gradually
If you currently never floss or only do it every once in a while, it’s unrealistic to think you can quickly switch to seven days a week on a whim. Most people try this and have trouble sticking to it.
The key is to begin flossing every other day or so and slowly do it more often until it’s just a part of your hygiene routine. You only need to floss once in the evening before going to bed, but it can be tough to ask yourself to do something new when you’re tired. Allowing your willpower to build up by taking things slow will go a long way in helping you maintain the habit for life.
Set a Reminder
Many people only think about flossing after they have climbed into bed and are about to fall asleep. Almost no one has the strength to leave the covers and flick on the lights at this point! Simple reminders, both physical and digital, can make a big difference.
Setting an alert on your phone, putting a note on your bathroom mirror, or simply stacking the floss on top of your toothbrush or toothpaste are common methods of making sure flossing becomes front and center in your mind.
A Little Reward
While looking after your oral health is its own reward, the truth is that a little extra incentive never hurts. What many people do when they are trying to build a new habit is simply note on their calendar every day they actually do it. Then, when they accumulate a streak (whether it’s a week, a month, or just two days!), they give themselves a little reward.
This can be anything you want, ranging from a piece of candy to ordering from your favorite place to maybe buying a piece of clothing that you like. Regardless, that little carrot on the end of the stick might be just what you need to floss on those days when you really don’t feel like it.
About the Author
Dr. Brenda Berkal has spent decades serving the community of Derry, and throughout her accomplished career, she has always stayed at the forefront of her profession by completing numerous continuing education courses. She has helped countless patients build better oral health habits at home on top of providing in-office care. If you’re ready to have a brighter, healthier smile in 2025, get in touch with us at 603-441-2112 or use our online form to request an appointment.