Viva Challenge: floss daily for good oral health

Second day of the Chinese New Year and I want to issue you a challenge? Okay, this is a relatively easy one and a good one too because you probably had too much to eat anyway. Plus, I need some community spirit to get me doing this more often because I’ve been rather lazy when it comes to my dental routine.

Floss back and forth two to three times
In fact, in a recent dental visit, I was told I need to floss more. Well, I actually do but I don’t move the floss back and forth two to three times between each tooth. For me, it’s just once and that’s all. Apparently, that is insufficient. And why is flossing our teeth daily important?

Remove decay-causing plague buildup
Well, because brushing alone cannot remove decay-causing plaque and food lodged between the teeth. So we need the additional step of flossing to maintain healthy gum, prevent bad odor as well as tooth loss. I also found out that fluoride coated floss is better than standard wax as it can better grip in between the teeth and remove particles.

Sterilization from mouthwashes are temporary
And those who think that you don’t have to floss because you rinse your mouth with mouthwash have to rethink again because the sterilizing effects of mouthwashes are but temporary.

So ready to join me to take on this challenge if you’re not already flossing your teeth? I need inspiration to do this daily and reminders to floss all my teeth, including those molars!

Comments

  1. Hayashi says:

    I’ve never try teeth flossing before. Mum said may wider the teeth gaps. Does it? Hmmm…

  2. Hannah says:

    I have just bought my first dent floss. I’m not big fan of brushing teeth every fifteen minutes (you know what I mean), but it’s also my new resolution. I hope it’s any good. ?

  3. sesame says:

    No, it shouldn’t.

  4. sesame says:

    It’s supposed to be good as a complement to brushing. Over time, the plague buildup between teeth can accumulate and flossing will help to reduce that.

  5. W says:

    This post has really inspired me to take better care of my teeth. Actually after reading this blog the last couple of days I’ve really been inspired to take more care of my appearance all around! Thanks for the good posting!

  6. Angel says:

    I always use these little floss wands. They are so much more conveiant!!
    I could never use the string kind, it was hard to hold in my hand and get way back in my teeth, so these things are a great invention and acutally gets me to floss my teeth! Also great as a toothpick. ?

    (see image here.)

  7. Sparklewolfie says:

    I always get told that at the dentist too =__=;;
    I will try to floss more as well! We can do this!! ?

  8. Amarise says:

    Starting off with a floss that easier on you to actually floss helps. A plus if it tastes well too.

    My tip to make sure to floss back & forward a couple of times is to sing a song in your head to the rhythm of flossing.

    This way you have a fun way of focus versus counting numbers.

  9. izzy says:

    Thanks for the inspiration! I do have the little floss wands mentioned above but have just been lazy. I think I will make it part of my CNY resolution too.

    On a side note, a frequent a mineral makeup forum and they have a “exercise from bribes” tread going on where if you stick to your exercise routine you get to reward yourself (in my case it’s 1 week for / $5). I think I may have to start a bribe system for flossing too >_> to keep me on track.

  10. N. says:

    Aw no… I hate flossing. Especially with braces on~ such a hard labor.

  11. sesame says:

    You’re welcome!

  12. sesame says:

    I’ve tried these but I find them difficult to handle. Could be also because the ones I used were not waxed. But these are great to bring around!

  13. sesame says:

    Yes yes! We can do it! (or we have to! :razz:)

  14. sesame says:

    Oh nice tip to sing a song in the head! I likey!

  15. sesame says:

    Haha…CNY resolution. I have plenty to make but I wonder how many I’ll keep…even with bribes. ?

  16. sesame says:

    Ah…that’s true. It can be tough cleaning with braces. But once your braces are removed, you can do this to keep your nice set of teeth looking good!

  17. chenyze says:

    ah, I’m already doing this one! Not nearly everyday, but almost! I didn’t think it was important too, but then I realized that there are some bits and pieces that get stuck between the teeth so I’m kinda paranoid about it now… especially if I ate things like chicken meat!

    Also, something else to suggest. I normally just run my fingernail over the inner teeth to check if I’d really scraped off all food remains because I find that even if I brushed slowly and tried to be thorough, it’s not always complete. Sorry if it sounds a bit gross!

  18. sesame says:

    I do that quite often with my fingernails too especially if I can’t find a toothpick in sight. Paranoid that scraps of food showing up when I smile and they cannot be rinse off. I thought I was the only one doing this. ?

  19. chenyze says:

    heh cool! i thought i was the only weird person who’d do that d=

  20. Suz says:

    My dentist told me to floss but heck I am so bloody lazy…I should…:/ but sure haven’t!

  21. sesame says:

    That makes two of us! ?

  22. sesame says:

    Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s easy but yet, it requires some effort. But it’s important so try at least thrice a week for a start before progressing to daily.

  23. Andra says:

    hate flossing..My gums bleeds whenever I floss..do u have any solutions or alternatives?

  24. sesame says:

    Not that I’m aware. If flossing don’t suit, then you have to work at proper brushing and gargling to ensure food particles don’t get trapped.

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