Floss for 2025: How to Make Daily Flossing a New Year’s Resolution

Even if you want to floss more often in 2025, you may fear that goal is too tricky to meet. People often struggle to include dental floss in their oral hygiene routines. However, there’s no need to worry; you really can make daily flossing a New Year’s resolution you keep. Your local Midland dentist will even show you how to do so. With that said, here’s a primer on why flossing is crucial and ways you can make it easier.

Why is Flossing a Big Deal?

Before you consider frequent flossing, consider why it’s a big deal. You’ll feel more motivated to make it a habit that way.

In short, you need to floss to preserve your oral health. You can’t rely on your toothbrush alone to protect your smile; this tool can’t clean your mouth’s hard-to-reach places. With a flossing habit, you’re able to clean the areas between your teeth and remove wedged bacteria. You’ll then be much less likely to have severe oral issues.

Ways to Make Regular Flossing Easier

If you really want to make flossing a habit, try using the following tips:

Consider the Obstacles

When you don’t “feel” like flossing, it’s usually because you face obstacles. Reflect on what these challenges are and how you can address them.

There are various ways you could go about this process. If you’re often tired at night and forget to floss, you might set a timer to “go off” before bed so you remember. When the issue is that you don’t like to floss, you could try a new way of flossing.

Reward Yourself

It really can be hard to change your normal habits. Given that fact, let yourself have a reward whenever you stick to your flossing habit.

Your exact “reward” can vary based on your preferences and situation. If you have a favorite TV show, you could watch an episode as a treat. On the other hand, letting yourself have a nice meal is another good idea.

Know the Risks of Failure

If rewards don’t motivate you, maybe the risks of not flossing will. Noting those downsides will encourage you to use your floss.

All in all, you’re likely to suffer severe oral issues if you don’t floss. A key example would be gum disease – a condition that inflames and infects your gum tissue. As for other problems, not flossing can also lead to tooth loss, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

You can make daily flossing a New Year’s resolution with the tips above. So, make sure to use them while there’s still time!

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps is a dentist based in Midland, TX, having earned her DMD from Tufts University. Her experience in dental work spans two full decades of caring for patients. As a result, she’s a highly skilled expert in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency oral care. Today, Dr. Philipps practices at her self-titled clinic and is reachable on her website and by phone at (432)-570-4433.