Lately, you’ve been thinking about ways you can improve and protect your oral health. As such, for your 2026 New Year’s resolution, you’ve decided to start flossing every day. Of course, picking up a new habit is often easier said than done. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take that can go a long way toward helping you turn flossing into an everyday habit before the year is over.
Remember Why You Want to Start Flossing
One way to stay motivated to start flossing more often is to keep reminding yourself why you’re doing it. Flossing is the most reliable way to clean the spaces between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. By routinely cleaning these areas, you can prevent the buildup of food particles and harmful bacteria; this can ultimately lower your risk of developing gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues.
Start Small If You Need To
There’s no need to force yourself to start flossing every day immediately. It may be easier if you initially make it your goal to floss once a week. Once you’ve gotten the hang of that, you can go a step further and begin flossing twice a week. By repeating this process, you’ll eventually reach the point where you’re flossing daily.
Leave Yourself a Reminder
If you’re not in the habit of flossing already, it can be easy to forget to do so. As such, it may be a good idea to set a reminder on your phone for when it’s time to floss. It might also help to place your dental floss on top of your toothpaste tube. That way, when it’s time for your oral hygiene routine, you’ll be sure to see your floss.
Give Yourself a Reward
It doesn’t hurt to give yourself a bit of extra incentive to stick to your flossing resolution. For example, you can set a goal to floss for a certain number of days in one week, and if you reach that goal, you can give yourself a treat like a piece of candy or a meal at your favorite restaurant. This can be a great way to keep yourself motivated until flossing becomes a normal part of your oral care routine.
Turning flossing into a daily habit may seem like a daunting task at first, but it’s a completely achievable goal if you follow the right steps, and it can ultimately make all the difference for the health of your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Grill studied dentistry at The Ohio State University. He holds membership with the Columbus Dental Society, the Ohio Dental Association, and other professional organizations. He strives to offer his patients a wide variety of treatment options in order to minimize their chances of needing to visit a separate specialist. If you’re interested in scheduling a preventive appointment with Dr. Grill at Northwest Family Dental of Huntsville to protect the health of your smile, you can visit his website or call (937) 843-3932.