Tips for Staying Consistent with Your Routine Dental Care

Consistency is a key element to taking proper care of your teeth and gums. Missing one brushing or flossing session will not immediately lead to a mouth full of cavities. However, getting into a habit of going to bed without brushing or skipping out on flossing can lead to serious issues in the long run. Missing just one of your preventative appointments at the dentist will have you going an entire year without getting any type of professional dental care. Small decisions over time that negatively impact your dental care routine can lead to big consequences in the future. If you are struggling to stay consistent with your routine dental care, keep reading for a few tips that may help you get and stay on track.

Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine

Most people who fall out of the habit of quality daily oral care do not do so intentionally. It may start with you being extra tired one night and going to bed without brushing your teeth. Over time, your bad habit of staying up too late and subsequently skipping out on brushing and flossing, can lead to decay and gum disease. There is no way around the fact that it takes a little bit of time and effort to care properly for your teeth each day. There is no hack that will let you batch the process of caring for your teeth. You need to brush in the morning and before bed – at a minimum. You need to floss at least once per day. Making peace with the fact that you must put in the effort if you want good oral health may help you make the process a priority. Make the decision that consistent routine dental care is a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.

Choose the right type of toothbrush

Choosing the right type of toothbrush can help you stay consistent with your routine dental care. A toothbrush that is wrong for you may actually cause you to dread the process of brushing your teeth. For example, a medium or hard bristle toothbrush can be painful to use and cause damage to your gums. Switching to a soft bristle brush can help you avoid that pain and be more consistent with your efforts. Another option is to invest in a quality electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush can provide you with a higher quality clean and be a lot of fun to use. Sometimes changing up the type of toothbrush you use can make it easier to stick with your daily oral care routine.

Try different methods of flossing

If flossing is the part of your oral care routine that you dread the most, consider changing up your method. Using a long piece of floss is not the only option for cleaning between your teeth. A pre-threaded flosser is an option that does not require you to hold onto a piece of string as you floss. Many people find the process of flossing easier with this option. You can also consider getting a water flosser as an alternative to traditional flossing. Finding a flossing option that works for you is a key part of being consistent with your efforts.

Schedule your next routine appointment before you leave the dentist’s office

Some people struggle to keep up with routine dental visits. These visits only have to happen twice per year but they are extremely important to your overall oral health. It is easy to forget when it is time to schedule your next appointment. You can avoid forgetting to schedule your next appointment by always getting it on the calendar before you leave your most recent appointment. Many dental practices offer to schedule subsequent appointments before you leave the office. Take advantage of this and never miss another routine visit.

In order to stay consistent with your routine dental care you must make it a priority. Fortunately, following the steps outlined above can make the process a little easier.

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