SOME 181 people have so far signed up for the Jamaica Cosmetic Dental Services’ (JCDS’) Flossing Pledge, which seeks to get patients to make flossing a daily hygiene ritual.

Having previously used social media as a tool to educate the public, JCDS decided to once again use social media to create an awareness campaign on the importance of dental flossing.

Dr Anissa Holmes noticed that whenever patients are asked if they floss their teeth, the answer is normally “not really” or “I really try, but it’s hard to remember”. She also realised that most people don’t know the benefits of flossing, which is why so many adult patients get cavities between their teeth.

Dr Holmes therefore decided to challenge patients in her office to take the pledge to floss their teeth for 30 days straight. They sign a large pledge sign, which they take home and hang in their bathrooms, which is a daily reminder to them of the commitment they made to themselves.

“We’re hoping to produce a ripple effect throughout social media and other mediums…” said Office Manager Melissa Whyte. “We also feel a social responsibility to extend this initiative to the wider population, given the current wave of self-betterment challenges that are becoming ever so prevalent.”

Of the total number who have so far signed up for the pledge, which started on September 1, 60 are JCDS patients.

Dayna K shared her experience so far: “The flossing challenge has been good. I’ve seen improvement in my flossing techniques, I have permanent retainers in so I use super floss. I have seen an improvement in my gums. Previously I had sensitivity. I’m sticking with it.”

“Brushing alone only cleans about 70 per cent of the surfaces of the teeth,” said Dr Holmes. “As a result, adding flossing to daily hygiene routines has the benefits of preventing cavities, preventing loose teeth, which comes from periodontal disease, as well as decreasing the chance of getting systemic diseases.”

JCDS is therefore encouraging people to download campaign signs from www.jamaicasmiles.com and urging participants to take a picture with the pledge sign and post it to their Facebook and Instagram pages, and also encourage their friends to take the pledge.