Teeth need daily care and attention. During his youth years, he is generally taught to brush his teeth twice a day, but over time it can become a tedious task. If you haven't developed this habit, there are things you can do to make teeth cleaning a daily routine; the smile and the breath will improve and with time the results will make it easier to respect the commitment.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Setting up a Routine
Step 1. Define how many times a day you want to brush your teeth
Dentists recommend brushing them twice a day, but in some cases even more frequently; however, if you have trouble meeting that commitment even once a day, at least start there. Over time, as you develop the habit and begin to see the benefits, you may be able to spontaneously wash them more often.
Step 2. Choose an activity you do every day
Make a commitment to brushing your teeth every time you do this, which can be washing your face, brushing your hair, or taking a shower.
- Be realistic about your schedule. If you tend to like to linger in bed, but then find yourself having to "rush" to get to work, you may have a hard time adding some tasks into your morning routine.
- If you usually feel exhausted when you come home in the evening, it may not be the best time to include some new task in your daily schedule. You may feel too lazy or tired to stick to a plan; however, the sooner you get oral care into your routine, the sooner it becomes a normal part of the day.
Step 3. Keep your toothbrush and toothpaste in a visible area
If you decide to brush your teeth every day when you shower, put them next to the shampoo; if you decide to brush them when you wash your face, put them right on top of the face towel, so you are obliged to pick them up.
You can also try washing them during the shower itself; this method can help you develop the habit more easily
Step 4. Set an alarm
Set an alarm to remind you to take care of oral hygiene every day, in case you forget the set time; pick a time when you're supposedly home, so you have no excuse!
The alarm plays the role of "plan B"; for example, if you don't take a shower at the end of a day, your alarm still reminds you to brush your teeth
Step 5. Create a fun routine
It is difficult to respect boring or unpleasant habits; if you set a nice schedule instead, you are more likely to stick to it.
- You can listen to your favorite song every time you brush your teeth; this trick can also help you extend the time you spend cleaning.
- Brushing your teeth doesn't require a lot of concentration, so you can feel free to watch television or listen to the radio during the procedure. think you can get a Hollywood smile by continuing to brush your teeth.
- Take some silly selfies while taking care of mouth hygiene and send it to friends; you can also add some comments, like: "I respect my routine", to let them know that you are working hard.
Step 6. Brush your teeth daily for a month
This is an admirable and achievable goal; by repeating an action for thirty consecutive days, you can easily turn a gesture into a habit. Write down the commitment on a calendar or diary and check each day you brush your teeth.
- Keep the calendar in the bathroom so you can see it when you are tempted to ignore your commitment.
- If you miss a day, don't punish yourself, just go back to following your goal the next day.
Part 2 of 3: Maintain Motivation
Step 1. Make the procedure enjoyable
If you consider oral hygiene practices as a chore, it is more difficult to comply with them. Do everything you can to make them a pleasant time; choose products that you like and that make you feel good.
- Choose a toothpaste you like. There are products on the market with many different flavors, such as mint, anise and cinnamon. As long as they contain fluoride, they all have essentially the same effectiveness, but make sure you find a product approved by the association of dentists (you can see the brand on the packaging).
- Choose a toothbrush that fits well in your hand and mouth; if you have sensitive gums and teeth, opt for one with soft bristles that protect the gums and prevent them from receding.
Step 2. Reward yourself
You can decide for a small or large reward, but it has to be something meaningful to you. Define in advance what your reward will be and how long you have to stick to the routine to deserve it.
- Tell a friend or loved one about the reward you've set for yourself so they can remind you if you start to lose motivation.
- When you get your first prize, take some time to enjoy it and then set yourself another reward for a new achievement.
- The reward does not necessarily have to be related to the teeth; it can be a rich meal at a restaurant or indulge in a purchase that you wouldn't otherwise have made.
Step 3. Go to the dentist
No one can evaluate improvements more accurately than a dentist. It is extremely important to go to his clinic to have periodic checks, to do the proper cleaning and to understand if your commitment has improved the health of the oral cavity. Tell your doctor about the efforts you are making to regularly brush your teeth and the progress you have made.
Ask him if you are doing the wrong cleaning method and if you can improve the routine
Step 4. Observe any changes in your feelings
When you brush your teeth regularly for a while, you probably feel more confident; the smile and the breath are cleaner and fresher than before. Give yourself some time to appreciate this newfound confidence: it is just what you need to maintain this new habit over time.
Part 3 of 3: Understanding the Reasons for Brushing Your Teeth
Step 1. Learn how cleaning affects teeth health
The more you know about it, the more motivated you feel. You can find many online sites that explain the importance of good dental hygiene; find the reasons that come closest to your personal needs. Here are some examples:
- Brushing your teeth daily helps prevent tooth decay. This disorder makes chewing painful and the necessary treatments are very expensive; when it worsens due to neglect, it may be necessary to proceed with a devitalization, which can cost up to 1000 euros.
- If the condition of a tooth is so bad that it cannot be saved, it must be extracted; in this case, the teeth and jawbone surrounding the empty place begin to weaken and bone resorption develops over time. The forces to which the teeth are subjected change, triggering a series of problems.
- If your teeth react to cold and heat with pain, a specific toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help, which contains minerals that help protect the internal nerves and therefore make them more resistant to different temperatures.
Step 2. Learn about the other benefits of dental hygiene
Brushing your teeth not only affects your mouth, but offers other benefits, for example:
- Poor oral hygiene can be associated with respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); these are rather serious pathologies, which can be prevented with proper dental hygiene.
- Poor mouth care can lead to gum disease, such as gingivitis. This disorder has been associated with an increased risk of premature births. Periodontitis, a consequence of gingivitis, can be related to heart disease and leads to a constant bacterial load in the circulatory system.
- A 2012 study found a correlation between oral bacteria and knee and rheumatoid arthritis.
Step 3. Look at photos
Taking care of your teeth also means having a better smile. Compare photos of people who have healthy teeth with those of others who neglect dental hygiene; the differences you can observe represent a motivational boost.
- Find strong images that elicit a noticeable reaction.
- Some people may have no teeth or have them yellowed, broken, or blackened; without daily care, yours can eventually become like this too.
Step 4. See your dentist for a visit
He has seen everything; if you can't fully understand the importance of proper oral hygiene, ask him or a dental hygienist for more details. These professionals have a lot of knowledge and experience that they can share with you.
They may leave you with helpful tables or brochures to take home, which remind you of the importance of brushing your teeth
Advice
- If you forget to wash them one day, don't be discouraged; rather, as soon as you realize you have forgotten about them, go and brush them immediately so as not to lose the habit. If you forgot about it the previous day, you can safely wash them in the middle of the day.
- If you have roommates or live with a family, you can follow their routine; if you see someone going to the bathroom to brush their teeth, make a commitment to do it too soon after.
- It starts and starts again every time; it is never too late to start a regular dental hygiene routine. Even if you make a few "missteps", you can always get back "on track".
