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How to Stay Consistent With a Solid Dental Care Routine

Posted by Dr. Julie Boudreault On 25-01-2024

If you want a bright and healthy smile, you need to take care of it. This involves brushing twice a day for a full two minutes, flossing once daily, and visiting your Milton dentist every six months for a thorough checkup.

Consistency is paramount when it comes to oral health. You need to commit to a solid dental care routine to reap the benefits and enjoy a healthy mouth.

1. Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine

Some of you may find this easier said than done. Developing a new habit is often difficult. However, don’t underestimate the power of committing to your new routine. The most important thing is not giving up.

All habits take time to build, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re unable to suddenly turn over a new leaf with your dental routine. Focus on action, instead. Just because you forgot to brush your teeth yesterday morning doesn’t mean that you will today.

Ultimately, you need to decide to commit to your dental care routine. Make it a non-negotiable part of your mornings and evenings. Over time, this practice will become second-nature. Until then, don’t give up.

2. Give yourself enough time

It takes time and effort to care properly for your teeth every single day. Consequently, make sure that you’re giving yourself sufficient time in the morning and evening to brush and floss.

You need to brush for two full minutes twice a day, as well as flossing once daily. There’s no way to rush this process, but you can set yourself up for success. If you find yourself consistently neglecting to brush in the morning, then try waking up 5-10 minutes earlier.

You really can derail your oral health simply by not budgeting enough time to take care of your mouth. Mornings are often rushed; however, brushing your teeth is a non-negotiable. Organize the start and the end of your days so that you always have enough time for your dental care routine.

3. Travel with your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss

Forgetting your oral care toolkit is an easy way to disrupt a good habit. Whether you’re leaving for a long weekend, family vacation, overnight business trip, or longer holiday, it’s vital to bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. 

It’s useful to have a separate travel toolkit for these occasions. You can pick up travel-size mouthwash, floss, toothpaste, and toothbrush from any drugstore. Then, keep these items in your usual suitcase, travel bag, or car. 

That way, you never leave home without it! Wherever you go, you will have the tools to take care of your teeth properly and prevent cavities from developing while you’re on holiday. 

4. Put it on your to-do list

To-do lists are a great way to stay organized and remember exactly what you must do. Life is busy, and it can be easy to forget even important tasks like brushing and flossing!

However, forgetting to brush your teeth has serious consequences, especially over time. Gradually, unremoved plaque and tartar buildup lead to the development of cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Adding brushing and flossing to your daily to-do list serves as a gentle reminder to take care of your teeth. Plus, there’s something gratifying about checking this task off every single day.

Of course, you need to remember to actually check your to-do list!

5. Keep track of your progress on a calendar

This trick isn’t just for children. If you’re struggling to develop a consistent dental care routine, keeping track of your progress can be immensely helpful. Every day and week that you succeed in caring for your oral health will be showcased for you to see. 

You can feel pride in your accomplishment. Additionally, this visual representation of your dedication will encourage you to keep going. 

Recording your progress can also help you identify patterns. Perhaps you always forget to brush your teeth on Thursdays because of a weekly activity or commitment. If that’s the case, then you can set up extra reminders on that date.

6. Put a reminder on your phone

Your phone’s calendar app is a great resource and organizational tool. It can remind you of deadlines, meetings, parent-teacher conferences, dates, family events, and oral care activities.

There’s no reason why you can’t leverage all the technology at your disposal to help you stay consistent with your dental care regimen. Simply set a recurring reminder to brush your teeth every morning before you leave for work or university and a second one in the evening before you normally go to bed.

You can also add your biannual dental checkups to your calendar so you don’t forget to go. These checkups are a vital part of preventative dentistry.

7. Copy your partner

If your partner has rigorous and consistent dental care hygiene, follow their lead. When they brush, you brush. When they floss, you floss. Instead of trying to develop your own routine separately, you can simply piggyback on their good habits. Over time, brushing and flossing will become habitual for you as well.

Plus, it’s usually easier to build a new habit when we’re not doing it alone. Doing an activity or task with someone else means you have an accountability partner. If you’re accountable to someone other than yourself, it’s often easier to stick to your new habit.

Additionally, it’s more enjoyable to do a task with someone else, rather than solo. Brushing your teeth together can be a pleasant activity shared by you and your partner.

8. Schedule dental checkups every six months

Part of your solid dental care routine is visiting your Milton dentist every six months. These regular checkups are extremely important for your oral health and a crucial part of preventative dentistry!

During your appointment, your dentist performs a thorough cleaning and oral examination where they check for any developing health conditions. Early diagnosis is key for prompt, effective, and less invasive treatment. It’s also more affordable.

Preventative Dentistry: A Crucial Part of Oral Health

You have a vital role in preventive dental care. It’s extremely important that you stay consistent with brushing and flossing to prevent a range of oral health issues.

Ultimately, building a consistent and thorough at-home oral hygiene routine sets you on the path for lifelong oral health. That way, your smile will be healthy and bright for many years to come!

However, preventative dental care also involves your dentist at Milltown Dental. Preventative dentistry lowers your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and serious dental problems. It’s a foundational component of long-term oral health.

To learn more about preventative dentistry in Milton, call Milltown Dental at (833) 318-3281 or contact us here.

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