Even though flossing helps prevent gingivitis and tooth loss, I have to say that my biggest motivation to floss is to avoid extraneous appointments to Western Dental. As a kid, I did not mind going to the dentist at all, but at Western Dental, they manage to make a simple tooth cleaning the most painful experience of the year...that is, unless you have cavities. Every time I sit in that chair with the dentist picking away at my teeth, hitting every nerve I have (literally), completely missing my mouth with the water spray and getting it all over my face, I promise myself that I am going to floss every day and give up sugar and soda* and anything acidic (like lemons) that can corrode my teeth. I'm not sure how feasible it would be to accomplish everything in that list, I can at least start the habit of flossing every day.
One of my biggest deterrents to flossing has been that I didn't want to add one more task to a nighttime routine that is already very long. However, thanks to this Web MD article, I now know that I can floss any time of the day since the purpose of flossing has more to do with preventing plaque buildup than it does with cleaning bits of food out of your mouth before going to bed. If flossing before bed ends up being too much of a hassle, I might make it a habit to floss as soon as I get home from work.
If, like my 2011 self, you do not floss and have what you think is a valid reason for skipping it, check out the aforementioned Web MD article. It addresses all the reasons why a person might not floss, plus gives lots of helpful tips. For example, now I know that switching to waxed floss can help with that pesky problem I have with floss getting stuck between my teeth. Also, did you know that you're supposed to floss behind your back molars? I did not do that last night, but I certainly will from now on.
Happy flossing!
* My husband and I actually ARE giving up soda, but I didn't make it one of my official resolution because I don't drink soda a ton anyways - just when we eat at certain restaurants.
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