We know the basics: from brushing and flossing daily, to replacing toothbrushes every 3 months, to avoiding sugary drinks—but with our busy schedules, that’s a lot to remember! How can we ensure we’re remembering to do these things on a regular basis?
Most of us developed good oral care regimens in childhood. Often, we retain these, but the responsibilities of adulthood can sometimes take precedence, causing us to unlearn good habits. And, in some cases, those good habits were never practiced in adulthood at all!
As with any routine, regular dental hygiene requires a slow but steady approach. Learn how to replace poor habits with healthy ones with these 5 practices. And remember—it all starts with the clean slate of dental cleaning and exam by Russo dentistry!
Make the Time
Experts say it takes two months to fully develop a habit. Sound like a long time? It is! We’ve been conditioned to believe that real change can be accomplished in a matter of days or weeks—but that’s simply not the case. To build better dental hygiene, you’ll need to ensure proper care by the day, and not just when you remember.
Track Your Habits
One of the most reliable means of producing the same result each day is to write it down or set an alarm. That way, you’re not relying only on your memory to floss once per day or keep track of your dental appointments. With a planner, calendar, or digital tool, you can set it and forget it!
Think Long-Term
Of course, you’re not going to see amazing results in your smile overnight. That might make it harder to stick to a time-consuming routine—because you’re not seeing an immediate difference if you don’t do it.
It’s important to remember that lax or lazy tendencies build on each other to reinforce worse habits, which is how you ended up with poor dental care habits in the first place! Just as slow and steady positive changes result in better health, poor habits build up slowly overtime to cause more lasting damage.
Stay Positive
That said, it’s essential to stay positive when building better oral hygiene. If you do happen to miss a day (maybe you fell asleep on the couch and didn’t brush until morning, or you forgot the date of your last cleaning and don’t know when to set the next one) don’t beat yourself up! Simply get back on schedule as soon as possible.
Consult a Professional
You can always call Russo Dentistry in Durham, NC to talk to your dentist. In addition to a thorough cleaning to get you started, they can offer tips, tricks, and other resources to keep you on track. Learn more today, then benefit from better dental care habits by your next visit!
