Everyone knows you should do it, but why is it so hard to actually get in the habit of flossing?

Maybe you start flossing a few days before your dentist appointment to avoid the shame of your dentist knowing you don’t floss regularly (spoiler alert: they still know), or maybe you flossed for a few weeks as a New Year’s Resolution, but the habit never seems to stick.

The good news is, it’s not because you lack willpower, it’s because you’re probably approaching the habit completely wrong.

Just like taking daily vitamins, getting into an exercise routine, and eating more vegetables, starting a new habit of flossing your teeth requires setting yourself up for success using the science of behavior change.

Here are some tips to help you make flossing a daily part of your routine so that next time your dentist asks, “do you floss?” you can say “YES! Every day!”

1. Make it more enjoyableThe science of habit change says that people don’t make long-term changes when the change feels bad, we change when we feel good! We change when we perceive the change as more positive than staying the same.When it comes to flossing, something as simple as trying a few different brands and types until you find one that’s comfortable for you and makes the process as simple and easy as possible will make a huge difference in the likelihood of you sticking to the habit.

   Don’t get too caught up in what’s the “best” kind of floss— the best kind is the one you’re most likely to use every day!

2. Anchor it to an existing habitThis one is pretty simple because you’re (hopefully) already in the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day.So, if you brush your teeth in the morning and the evening, ask yourself which time you are most likely to be able to spend an extra 60 seconds flossing your teeth.

   If you feel more energized and motivated in the mornings, and you are usually dragging yourself to bed and lucky if you wash your face at night, then morning might be your best time to add the habit of flossing!

   Or if you’re constantly rushing out the door in the mornings after pressing snooze 7 times, but you typically have slow, relaxing evenings, then nighttime might be your best time to add the new habit.

   The best option is whichever one makes the most sense for YOU.

   Once you decide on the time of day, put your floss next to your toothbrush so that every time you pick up your toothbrush, you’re reminded that it’s time to floss, too.

3. Start smallThis may sound a bit silly, but breaking your new habit down into a SUPER small habit is the best way to ensure it sticks.In his book, Tiny Habits, Dr. BJ Fogg writes about his struggle to get into the habit of flossing his teeth.

   After analyzing why the habit was so difficult for him, he realized that “flossing my teeth” was too big and ambiguous of a habit.

   So, he broke it down as tiny as possible and told himself, “every morning, after I brush my teeth, I will floss ONE tooth.”

   Sounds a little ridiculous, right? What difference will flossing one tooth make?

   But as he explains in the book, tiny changes make BIG differences because flossing ONE tooth is so ridiculously easy and doable that he will ACTUALLY do it every day.

   And guess what? When you break out the floss and floss one tooth, you’re much more likely to keep going.

   But if some days all you do is floss one tooth, you haven’t failed at your new habit!

4. Make it a part of your identityYes, we’re still talking about flossing.It might sound ridiculous in the context of flossing your teeth, but habit change studies have shown that when we focus on “who must I become?” rather than “what do I have to do?” we are much more likely to change for the long-term.

   When you start to identify as the type of person who flosses their teeth every day, you’ll find the habit much easier to stick to.

   Start by painting a clear mental picture of the version of yourself who flosses their teeth daily.

   What other things might you become better at when you floss regularly?

   How good will it feel knowing you are taking care of your dental health?

   How proud will you be when your dentist looks at your teeth and doesn’t have to ask if you floss because he can tell?

   Again, we know it sounds a bit silly, but this is the same approach you would take if you were trying to eat healthier, exercise more, or drink more water, so use the power of shifting your identity to become a regular flosser.

The benefits of flossing go far beyond just cleaning food out from in between your teeth. Keeping a clean healthy mouth aids in overall health and wellbeing.

So, next time you go to the dentist you’ll be proud of yourself for sticking to the habit of flossing!