HEALTH

If you answered “not really,” you’re not alone. A new study from American Academy of Periodontology shows that most Americans, for whatever reason, *hate* flossing. Over half don’t do it daily and 20% admit they never do.  Some even said they’d rather sit in traffic!

One possible explanation for this is that flossing can feel a little pointless because the results aren’t super visible. But let’s figure this out once and for all—is flossing really necessary?

Well, yes. But maybe not as often as your dentist tells you. In truth, most people can keep their gums healthy by flossing only a few times a week—but only if you don’t have other health factors that can contribute to gum disease. And there’s no doubt that flossing is a healthy practice, so it’s best to do it as often as you can.  

But how do you make yourself do it more? First of all, you know how when you haven’t flossed in a while and finally do it really hurts, and sometimes your gums even bleed? The more you floss, the less this will happen. That pain and bleeding are a sign of unhealthy gums that aren’t used to being cleaned. So the more you do it, the easier it will be.

Plus, using little flosser pics or rubber toothpicks can make flossing easier and more fun, since it can be extra hard to floss with dentist-level skill. One expert even suggests promising yourself rewards for flossing (preferably not of the sticky snack variety!). After all, why not do one little thing that can seriously improve your health and hygiene?

Do you floss? If so, how often? Do you have any tricks for getting yourself to remember to do it? 

Courtesy of: yahoo.com

by Katy Herman | 2/1/2016