Floss Every Day

This simple act is the single most important factor in preventing gum disease, which affects more than 50 percent of adults. Spend two to three minutes flossing at least once a day. If flossing irritates your gums, talk to your dentist. Generally, the more often you floss, the tougher your gums will become, says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD.