We need to talk. You tell me you floss daily. I look in your mouth and I know the truth. We both know. It's okay. Let's fix it, for real this time.
You don't fail at flossing because you're lazy. You fail because your system is terrible. Flossing is boring, easy to forget, and the consequences of skipping it are invisible for years. So let's build a system that can't fail.
Step 1: Stop Hiding the Floss
Your floss lives in a drawer, doesn't it? A dark little coffin where habits go to die. Get it out of there.
Put it right next to your toothbrush. I mean touching it. When you see it, you'll be reminded. Some of my most successful patients wrap the floss around their toothbrush. Is it insane? Yes. Does it work? Also yes.
Step 2: Floss *Before* You Brush
This is the one weird trick that actually works. If you wait until after you brush, your brain has already checked "oral hygiene" off its list. Flossing feels like extra credit you don't have time for.
Floss first. Then, brushing becomes the satisfying reward where you get to sweep away all the gunk you just dislodged. It's a small mental shift that makes a huge difference.
Step 3: Use Something You Don't Hate
I don't care if you use traditional floss, floss picks, a water flosser, or a trained squirrel. The best tool is the one you will actually use. If you hate wrapping string around your fingers, try the little Y-shaped picks. They're great. Just use something.
Prove It to Yourself (and Me)
The only thing more satisfying than lying to your dentist is having proof you don't need to. A streak is powerful. You won't want to break a chain of 10 straight days for something as silly as forgetting to floss.
Track it with Habit Tiles. One tap. Done. You get a nice visual of your success, which feels way better than my disappointed sigh at your next checkup.
A Word on Failure
You're going to miss a day. It's fine. Don't spiral into guilt. Just floss the next day. The goal isn't a perfect record; it's to make flossing your default setting.
Now, please. Go put your floss by your toothbrush.
Start This Habit
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