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Forcing Flossing

Despite my best efforts in hiding my lack of flossing, I received some pretty heavy finger wagging from my hygienist this week. It must have been pretty clear. No amount of Listerine can cover up how hard it is for me to routinely pick up that package of floss before I brush.

I knew that I wasn't alone. Besides my friends in the industry or their immediate family, I never see anyone floss unless I point out that there is something stuck in their front teeth. I asked how many of her patients actually floss daily. Her response:

"They do exist. And they are ANGELS!"

The truth is that while most Americans brush daily, the ADA says that only about 12 percent floss daily, 39 percent floss less than daily, and 49 percent do not floss at all. To be honest, I was surprised that so many flossed daily. I was expecting far less than 12 percent.

What is it about brushing that makes it so easy to be a part of our daily routine that flossing lacks? Is this just an American problem? What are some of the ways that you have been successful in helping patients grab for the floss before they brush every day?