Daily Fit Tip: Floss every day

Every New Year's I make a resolution, as many of us do, to adopt a healthier, more fit lifestyle by adding another "to do" to the list. This year the "to do" had nothing to do with what I eat or how much I work out. Instead I decided to listen to my dentist, who's been begging me for years to do one simple thing: Floss. And to do it every day.

Sure, we all claim we floss every day, a step in oral hygiene recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), but how many of us are really in the habit? My mother is, for one. She flosses after practically every meal. I don't think I could hold myself to such high standards, but her attempts are admirable.

Ask her why she does it and she won't tout the same healthy reasons my dentist is always pointing out, such as the prevention of plaque and periodontal gum diseases including gingivitis. No, my mother says flossing simply makes her mouth feel cleaner. I tried it. She's right.

My mother is a fan of the traditional string dental floss method to accomplish her task, but I've always found that method cumbersome and a tad messy. Instead I've opted for a newer product known as floss picks to get the job done. Floss picks are individualized F-shaped pieces of plastic with the floss strung between the two prongs of the F. They're easy to hold and maneuver in the mouth, especially around those teeth in the back of the mouth. They also require no wrapping of dental floss around the index fingers, which for me accomplished little but cutting off my circulation.

Another reason I wanted to get back into daily flossing was at the urging of my OBGYN, who advised pregnant women floss to ward off the additional growth of plaque. During pregnancy increased levels of progesterone and estrogen increase circulation. Additional blood in the system can cause the gums to swell and become more susceptible to bacteria.

I'd also read that preventing periodontal diseases could prevent heart disease and even stroke. While the jury is still out on that link, why not incorporate a healthy habit that takes less than five minutes a day?