FitSugar

The Flossy Flossy: Flossing Made Easy

Heather Dale — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:00:34 PST

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.

Do You "Cram" Before Going to the Dentist?

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:47:12 PDT

Dental hygiene is really an everyday kind of activity. Or rather, a twice a day activity when it comes to brushing. Flossing, on the other hand, is easy to let fall by the wayside.

When you slack on taking care of your gums regularly, your dentist will certainly scold you. Mine did many years ago, and her cautionary tale inspired me to floss regularly. However, I have noticed that my husband "crams" before going to the dentist, just like we both did before college exams. About two weeks before his dental appointment, he suddenly begins flossing twice a day and using special very medicinal smelling (read: unsexy) mouthwash. After he's seen the dentist, his avid flossing goes out the window for another five and a half months.

What about you . . .

The Fountain of Youth Is in Your Gums

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:00:12 PDT

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?

LilSugar Community: When Should She Floss?

Lil Community — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:00:00 PST

This post was submitted by Betty Wayne in The Mommy Club group.

My four year old is good at brushing; I give her teeth a quick brush myself if she's had lots of sweets, but mostly she does it on her own. My concern now is flossing. Her mouth is too small for me to stick my fingers in there and really teach her how to do it; I give her a piece of floss to play with and run between her front teeth just to get her used to the idea of flossing. Any suggestions for how or when I should go about teaching flossing? Am I waiting too long? Also, can anyone recommend a good mouthwash for children? Any advice on children's dental hygiene would be appreciated. Thank you!

Talk about motherly things on your mind at The Mommy Club group over in the LilSugar Community.

Speak Up: What Healthy Habits Are Hard For You to Stick With?

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:29 PST

Every time I go to the dentist, the hygienist asks the million-dollar question, "Have you been flossing every day?" I know she can tell by looking at my teeth and gums that the answer is no, but I think she asks just so I feel bad enough to actually remember to do it. I know it's recommended to floss at least once a day, but for some reason, I can only remember to do it a few times a week, which is why flossing daily is one of my healthy goals for 2010. Tell me, what healthy habit to do have a hard time keeping up with?

Do You Floss Before or After You Brush?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

I know this question seems somewhat trivial, but it has sparked an earnest debate at my house and the debate continued here at Sugar HQ. I'm not sure if your answer says anything about your character or commitment to dental health, but folks tend to fall clearly on one side or the other. So tell me . . .

How Often Do You Floss?

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

Every year, I make the same New Year's resolution, among others that change. It is the noble goal of flossing daily. When I lapse and miss a day or two, I do not feel that I have failed or my resolution is lost. I just pick up the floss and renew my commitment to gum health. What about you . . .

Source

Flossing 101

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:00:00 PDT

Taking care of your gums is about so much more than having pretty teeth. Having healthy gums may help prevent pancreatic cancer. I thought it would be worthwhile to review good flossing technique.

You should floss daily. Keep floss in your purse or desk drawer as well as your medicine cabinet at home. Easy access to floss is key to getting the job done.
Guide the floss between your teeth and rub up and down the side of each tooth.
Gently slide the floss between the gum and the tooth, with the emphasis on the word gently. Ramming the floss up against the gum will only irritate it.
Use a fresh bit of floss for each tooth.
Don't forget to floss the backside of your last molar and to gently massage between the gum and tooth there as well.

Source

Do You Floss Before or After You Brush?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT

I know this question seems somewhat trivial, but it has sparked an earnest debate at my house. I am not sure if your answer says anything about your character or commitment to dental health, but folks tend to fall clearly on one side or the other. So tell me . . .

Source

The How-To Lounge: Remembering to Floss

DearSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:00:00 PST

Flossing - it's a total drag but so important to your dental health, not to mention your breath. For some helpful tips on how to remember to floss, click here to

For some strange reason, many people, including myself, have a mental block against flossing, but once you get into the habit, you won't be able to stop.
If you are constantly running late in the morning then floss at night, after lunch, in the shower, or any time when you can devote an extra five minutes out of your day.
If you need a reminder, add a daily alarm to your calendar at work and excuse yourself to the bathroom to floss your teeth.
Floss Ups make flossing less tedious so keep them in your medicine cabinet or desk drawer - wherever you decide you will be flossing.
Since the holidays are coming around, make it your New Year's resolution to floss - it's going to be one of mine this year and I promise you won't regret it!

Since I know I am not the only one that hates to floss, ladies, if you have any other helpful tips, please share them below. Source