My dentist once asked how often I floss. I said “every day” and she just looked at me. She knew. Flossed gums do not bleed during a cleaning. My gums were bleeding. So I told the truth: maybe twice a week, mostly the night before appointments.

Tie It to Something You Already Do

Habit stacking is the only thing that worked for me. Keep floss next to something you touch every night without fail. I put mine next to my phone charger. Now when I plug in my phone at night, the floss is right there. I do not decide to floss — I just see it and do it.

Use the Right Tool for You

Traditional string floss is the gold standard but I hated it for years. My fingers could not reach my back molars. I switched to floss picks — the little plastic handles with a piece of floss stretched across — and suddenly I was flossing every day. They are not as thorough as string floss but they are infinitely better than not flossing at all.

Water flossers are another option. They use a stream of water to clean between teeth. My hygienist says they are great for people with braces, bridges, or dexterity issues. They cost more but if it is the difference between flossing and not flossing, it is worth it.

The First Week Is the Worst

Your gums will bleed. That is not a sign to stop — it is a sign you needed to start. Bleeding means inflammation from bacteria that have been sitting there. After about a week of daily flossing, the bleeding stops and your gums feel tighter. That is the moment the habit starts to feel worth keeping.

I have flossed every night for two years now. My last dental cleaning took twenty minutes instead of forty-five and my hygienist actually said “whatever you are doing, keep doing it.” That sentence was worth the annoying first week.