You know how important it is to care for your teeth and gums each day to stay healthy. But sometimes, with a hectic schedule and little time to relax, it can be a tough thing to remember and achieve. Rather than depending on those Tic Tacs in your back pocket, we’re here to help you actually improve your oral habits. Here are the top five ways to keep a consistent oral hygiene routine and give your mouth the attention it needs.
Use an Incentive
Just like parents offer rewards to kids for doing a job well done, using incentives can be just as effective for us adults. Think of something you want can help motivate you to stay consistent with brushing and flossing. At the end of each week, if you’ve maintained your routine, treat yourself!
Bring a Travel Kit
When you’re on the go without much time to even stop and breathe, make a little dental kit to carry with you throughout your day. That way, when you’re at the office, you can easily brush and floss if you’re staying late or just don’t have the time to brush in the morning before heading out the door.
Use Scare Tactics
If you’re seriously struggling to remember to brush and floss twice per day, using some scare tactics could help sear it into memory. Neglecting your oral health can lead to some pretty scary and severe problems, including gum disease and even heart disease. In fact, studies have shown that your oral health and overall health are greatly correlated. To stay on track with a consistent oral hygiene routine, do some quick research online to see examples for yourself of what neglect can lead to. Learning what can happen to you down the road can be enough incentive never to forget.
Write it Down
Writing down your goals — even if they involve better oral hygiene — can be very effective in assisting you in achieving them. Think of your target and why you want to make it, write it down on a piece of paper, and stick it up on your mirror or somewhere so you can see it each day. Do this until you have better dental care embedded as a regular habit.
Make Your Toothbrush Visible
If you’re exhausted and eager to jump into bed at the end of each day, neglecting to brush your teeth can happen from time to time. If this is something that happens on a frequent basis, try to leave your toothbrush somewhere visible — on the counter or a nearby shelf. This can give you the little nudge you need to remember when it slips your mind again.
Make it a Competition
If you love to compete, get your partner, roommate, family member, or best friend to participate in a little friendly competition. You can keep track of your progress, note the days that you might have missed, and set up an award for the winner each week. This can be very beneficial if you’re struggling to get motivated on your own.
Keeping up with a consistent oral hygiene routine isn’t always easy, especially if you’re juggling a hectic schedule. Use these tips to help keep you on track with better habits. And, having your teeth examined and cleaned by a dentist is also an important part of maintaining good oral care. Contact us at Dentistry at the Crossing to schedule your next checkup.