Public Service Announcement

There is an issue that I feel very strongly about that I have avoided talking about here. On more than one occasion I have stopped myself from writing about this unpleasant topic for fear of sounding too preachy or weird.

Finally I am speaking out about flossing.

Yes, flossing with dental floss.

A friend of mine took up the cause on her own blog, and now I feel inspired to share my story.

Flossing is incredible. I started flossing my teeth regularly about 4 years ago, and let me just say, I'm never going back to brushing alone. Why didn't I always floss you ask. I hated the shame of answering "sometimes" when the dental hygienist inquired about my oral upkeep twice a year, but let's face it, flossing can be painful, and inconvenient. But all that changed with a little discipline and the right technique. Once I committed to flossing every day I started to like it, because it actually feels good. Really it does. My teeth feel much cleaner from day to day, and I can leave the dentist's chair guilt free. Even if I fall asleep on my couch, at 2am, and I'm already in my pjs, I get up and I floss before I get into bed, because it improves the quality of my life that much. Now that I'm a changed woman, waking up with unflossed teeth is just discusting and completlye uneccesary.

For those who are of a spiritual persuasion, flossing has been a parable in my life. When I wanted to get in shape I dreaded exercising every day, but I remembered my first few weeks of flossing, and the transformation it brought, and was able to press on. When I say this out loud to people they think I'm kind of ridiculous. No one says it to my face, but I get a kind of awkward chuckle. So I've stopped referencing this part of who I am. Maybe I am ridiculous. But I am also completely serious. Flossing works.