Floss

Products to Help Make Flossing Easier
healthy living

The Flossy Flossy: Flossing Made Easy

It's a given that everyone brushes their teeth daily — and if you don't, there really is no better time like the present!
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It's a given that everyone brushes their teeth daily — and if you don't, there really is no better time like the present! Unlike brushing, flossing habits seem to run the gamut, which is why we asked you how often you floss and an impressive forty-three percent of you said you floss at least once a day — bravo!

Flossing is very important to incorporate into your daily routine since lodged food particles between the teeth can cause plaque and bacteria buildup, which eventually leads to gingivitis. And flossing at least once a day will also reduce arterial inflammation caused by the accumulation of bacteria in your system.

OK, we know the facts, we get that flossing is important, but how can we make it easier and more fun? I'm not saying you have to do a happy dance while flossing, but if it were easier, maybe we'd be inclined to floss more. I found three helpful tools that will do just that.

  • The Reach Access Flosser ($3): Brought to you by the makers of the Reach razors, this flosser can go below the gum line and effortlessly helps move the floss up and down and against the tooth. And with the look and feel of a toothbrush, maybe we'll be fooled to include it in our morning routine?

Keep reading to find out what other tools I recommend for flossing.

Not Flossing Causes Gum Disease Which Can Make You Appear Older
healthy living

The Fountain of Youth Is in Your Gums

I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say — "You're not flossing, are you?"
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I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say — "You're not flossing, are you?" I know brushing alone doesn't help clean between your teeth, and really I have no excuse except that I just don't do it.

Here's some news that'll have us all reaching for the floss. When you don't floss regularly, food gets stuck between your teeth, which turns into sticky plaque and bacteria. When this builds up, it can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. You know you have it if your gums are inflamed, are tender, or bleed. Your gums will also recede, which means they pull away from your teeth and expose them, which causes damage to your precious chompers. If this progresses and you develop gum disease, your teeth will die, which eventually causes the bones under your teeth to dissolve away. What you're left with is changes in your facial appearance including gaps between your teeth, sunken cheeks, caving in of the lips, and wrinkles along the mouth and cheeks — all of which can make you appear older than you are.

Instead of expensive and uncomfortable procedures to keep wrinkles away, your best bet is to grab youth by the horns and make time to floss at least once a day. After all this I'd like to know if you already floss regularly? If you don't, does this info make you want to start?

Buzz News Roundup, 8/26
The View

Buzz News Roundup, 8/26

It looks like Susan Sarandon will be joining the cast of Oliver Stone's Wall Street 2.
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Bacon Floss: Love It or Hate It?
Love It or Hate It

Bacon Floss: Love It or Hate It?

If you find your dentist telling you to floss more, you may be interested in Bacon Floss ($4.95).
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If you find your dentist telling you to floss more, you may be interested in Bacon Floss ($4.95). It's like regular floss, only it tastes like bacon. I personally think it's taking bacon a step too far, however if it gets you to floss, I suppose it can't be that bad. What do you think, would you use bacon floss?

Just Five Minutes to a Healthier You
teeth

Just Five Minutes to a Healthier You

There is not a whole lot you can do in just five minutes.
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There is not a whole lot you can do in just five minutes. However there are two vital things you can do every day for your health and they only take about five minutes a day, which means you'll still have 1,435 minutes left in your day to do everything else.

Fit's Tip: My dentist once told me that brushing your teeth without flossing at least once a day is like washing only 65 percent of your body — gross!

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Don't Avoid Your Dentist
teeth

Don't Avoid Your Dentist

Some of us just really hate to go to the dentist and avoid it at all costs.
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Some of us just really hate to go to the dentist and avoid it at all costs. That avoidance might be costing you your teeth. Here is a little statistic that might inspire you: 30 percent of Americans over 60 no longer have their teeth. OK, that is a little frightening but allow me to broaden the perspective of my scare tactics - our generation's teeth have seriously benefited from greater access to better dental care. Dental experts are predicting that the rate of toothless retirees will be substantially lower by the time we are of age to join AARP.

To protect your teeth, not only should you brush and floss twice daily, but you should also visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings. Don't put off fillings or crowns because the delay can put you at risk for losing your teeth later. It is kind of like a pay it forward situation for your mouth, because the many dental problems are preventable if you just listen to your teeth.

Here are some other ways to put your money where your mouth is:

If you have recently taken up a contact sport like boxing or kickboxing wear a mouth guard.

Same goes if you are a jaw clencher or a tooth grinder. Your dentist can make a very sexy (do you feel the irony?) mouth guard for you that will protect your teeth during the dangerous act of sleeping.

Pregnancy hormones affect your gums, so don't skip your dental appointments when you are preggo.

Some medications, like certain antihistamines and antidepressants, may cause dry mouth, which inhibits the break down of plaque. Talk to your dentist about ways to help reduce the damage this might cause.

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