So Flossy!

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January 7, 2012 by CJ

As I was chewing 8 expired baby aspirin (the bottle says 08, that means its good for another couple years…right?) to get rid of my pounding headache I began thinking about # 7 on my list, Take better care of myself.

Let’s see 7 days into the 2012 and I haven’t gone for that run yet, diet has remained the same, and my wine drinking has increased (+ or – depends on when and what you are reading).  So far the healthier new me isn’t going very well.  Then I went upstairs to floss and my light bulb came on.  I was doing something good for me, I was flossing!!

I don’t know about anyone else, but I was not a dedicated flosser.  I brush twice a day, everyday.  My flossing habits varied.  Typically I was good for the 2 weeks prior to visiting my dentist and really inspired for 2 weeks after seeing my dentist.  Then the floss went behind the mirror and was forgotten, unless I had something stuck in between my teeth and that would create a good week of solid flossing, at least.  This would be fantastic if I saw my dentist every 2 weeks, but it’s more like every 6 months.

After my last visit and me swearing to my dentist that I was flossing regularly (I may have left the part about “only for the past 2 weeks” out), I promised myself my next visit would be better.  We all know how important flossing is, or do we?  I read an article that really reenforced the importance of good oral health:

According to the company, people who regularly floss their teeth may live more than six years longer than those who do not use the interdental cleaners. This may be because bacteria that is left in the mouth can cause periodontal disease or plague a person’s blood, which can cause arteries to become inflamed. Swelling of these vessels has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Of all the things we can do for our health and to live a longer life, flossing must be one of the easiest.  So with a flossed teeth smile and a pat on my own back, I am 7 for 7 for flossing each night into 2012.  My goal is to make it a nightly habit.  While the kids are brushing their teeth after their evening showers, I floss.  It gives me a chance to make sure they are brushing properly and set an example.  I’m not sure how long it takes to make something a habit, 14 days, 21 or 30…who knows.  Right now, I’m just taking it day by day, tooth by tooth.