The Bean & Seed

I’m someone who has struggled to floss on a regular basis for their entire adult life. Mostly, I’ve flossed exclusively when there has been food stuck in my teeth. I’ve made other concerted efforts, but they always fizzle out after a couple of weeks. That was until I received the best dental advice I’ve ever been given from a new dental hygienist.

You see, part of the reason I’ve struggled to floss is I haven’t seen the point. If food isn’t stuck in my teeth, then what’s the big deal? The big deal is that as we age, our mouths start to behave differently along with the rest of our bodies. I’ve been blessed with teeth that are spaced tightly together, so, no, I don’t really get food stuck in them, but flossing does more than remove the occasional bit of popcorn. Flossing is critical for healthy gums.

Healthy gums protect the roots of your teeth. They prevent tooth loss. They protect the body from bacteria that can enter the bloodstream through the mouth. Gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. So flossing is about protecting your gums, and even the rest of your body, just as much as it is about cleaning your teeth. And, obviously, cleaning your teeth isn’t just about removing bits of food, but also for preventing tartar and plaque buildup that would detract from your beautiful smile and cause sensitivity to hot and cold.

So what was the best dental advice I ever received? Getting into flossing is hard. Like a lot of things, trying to go full tilt from the get go can seem daunting and like a huge chore that is difficult to fit in. So just start by flossing 2-3 times a week. Anything is better than nothing.

After receiving this advice, I still don’t floss every day. But I’m probably up to 3-4 times a week, and that definitely is better than nothing! My teeth feel so much better, I no longer have sensitivity issues, and it’s almost as if I just walked out of a cleaning even now six months removed from my last dental visit. I’m writing this post now because I’ve got my next check up in a week and I’m looking forward to getting some positive feedback!

Thanks for reading, Matt

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