7 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Floss
Just like most things in life, flossing can seem like a chore. If we’re not taught and encouraged at a young age that it should be done daily, then there’s a chance that we won’t just pick it up in adulthood. However, flossing is a vital part of oral hygiene and can help prevent gum disease and cavities. There are ways to help yourself in the flossing department – and no, we’re not talking about the viral dance move – that we’re going to share with you in today’s blog. That way, when you go to see our Berwick dentist, they’ll be impressed with how thoroughly your dental upkeep has been.
1. Set alarms or reminders
This is an option that has become far easier and more effective as technology progresses. In today’s day and age, you can set a reminder on your phone and have your smartwatch remind you of the same thing. Set a daily reminder so you don’t forget to floss. Keep the reminder going for as long as you need to, and maybe eventually, you won’t need the reminder anymore and will just remember to do it now that it’s become routine.
2. Keep your floss close by
You should be flossing at least once a day – according to the Australian Dental Association. You can floss either in the morning or in the evening before you go to bed. So, with that in mind, you should keep your floss on your bedside table or somewhere where you can see it after you get up in the morning or before you go to bed. This way, when you see it, it will trigger the thought of flossing and you can remember whether or not you’ve done it that day.
3. Make it a habit
According to the psychologist Jeremy Dean, it takes 66 days on average to either make or break a habit. Try flossing every day for 66 days at least – without skipping a day – to try and cement the action as a habit. The motivation here is that if you can make it for at least 66 days without faltering, then from then on it will be almost like second nature and therefore not something you’re constantly concentrating on.
4. Put it into your schedule
This ties in with our first point of setting an alarm or reminder – but concentrating more so on associating it with a particular activity that you do during the day. Whether it’s reaching for your phone in the morning and seeing your floss on your bedside table – similarly to our second point – or just doing it straight after you eat dinner or breakfast, associating flossing with another activity in your daily schedule is a great way to make it a habit.
5. Set up a rewards program
This is a great one for children but still works equally as well for adults. If you’re able to floss consecutively for an entire week or fortnight, then you can reward yourself with a special treat at the end of that period. This one requires self-control, however. You need to be sure you don’t reward yourself if you break the rules. If the treat is a dessert or a favourite food of yours, don’t forget to floss after you’ve indulged.
6. Try some new gadgets
There are always new gadgets coming out on the market that you can use to make flossing more exciting. Some of these even boast that they’re more effective than regular flossing and take half the time to do the job. These are great incentives to floss as everyone loves discovering new gadgets – it’s just a bonus when the gadgets are actually useful for something. Another option is scented floss – which is the same as your regular flossing string but with an added fragrance and aesthetic packaging.
7. Understand flossing
We know that flossing can go a long way in combatting gum disease and cavities, but there are other benefits to flossing– such as gingivitis prevention. If you understand the importance of flossing, then you can see how essential it truly is to your oral hygiene and why your Berwick dentist will always stress its importance during a check-up.
Are you in need of a Berwick dentist?
Eden Rise Dental is a family-friendly clinic located in Berwick. Our dental professionals are highly experienced and fully qualified to perform a variety of services ranging from regular check-ups to orthodontic work.
If you’re looking for a Berwick dentist, then please give us a call on (03) 9702 6111 or fill out the enquiry form on our website.