no rude or nasty comments please.
Suggestion:
The best way to remember is to pick a time during your morning and evening routines and stick to it; you may have to leave yourself sticky notes on the bathroom mirror the first few times, then it should become habit after awhile!
For example: In the morning, the first thing I do when I get up is go into the bathroom to pee; if you're the same way, this may be an excellent time to brush your teeth – you're getting it out of the way immediately, first thing, right after you wake up. Leave yourself a note and simply force yourself to do it while you're in there. If not, try incorporating it into your routine while putting on makeup.
I was REALLY lazy for awhile with it in the A.M. and found that it was much easier to motivate myself to brush my teeth in the shower; you'll need to get a suction toothbrush holder (I had to buy an extra little toothbrush/toothpaste to keep in the shower, so I'd have another one in the medicine cabinet for P.M. use) but it worked like a charm. Much easier, once I got used to it! Actually, many people brush their teeth in the shower, regardless what time of day they shower (AM or PM). If you don't shower daily, obviously this isn't going to work as well.
During your PM routine, you might want to incorporate brushing into the time you spend washing your face, putting on pajamas, etc…. just try to make is as regular and easy part of your "getting ready for bed" routine as possible. Don't let yourself get into bed until it's been done!!
The best way to make sure you remember and start doing it regularly is to incorporate it into the same part of your routine twice a day; don't do it in the shower one day, then change it and do it while you're putting on makeup the next day; try to make it as routine and repetitive as possible (do it during the same part of your routine every day). Your brain will start to remember to do it on "autopilot" without even thinking about it after awhile.
Another good motivator may be to remember a couple things: I've been working in the dental field for over 10 years. I've seen people in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's (and of course older) develop gum disease and root canal infections from not being too lazy with brushing. Gum disease can't be reversed; once you have it, it continues to get progressively worse without a LOT of maintenance, and that maintenance can require expensive surgery (about $2,000 – $5,000 every couple years) as well as special "deep cleanings" every 3 months. This is because the bacteria in your mouth has caused bone loss, and the teeth aren't hanging on very well; they've become "loose" in their sockets, and every last measure has to be taken in order to keep the teeth from decaying and falling out. If you don't have the surgeries and deep cleanings, you end up losing your teeth; the bone loss gets so extensive they eventually fall out. These people have said to me so often "if I could go back and force myself to brush my teeth every day, I would". Multiple cavities and root canal infections aren't fun, either; root canals run about $1200 per tooth, plus $1,000 for the crown that goes on afterward. Brushing can absolutely prevent these problems, but if you don't brush regularly, you have a very high chance (greater than 50%) that eventually you will develop some, or all, of these problems.
Gum disease also is a precursor (can cause or exacerbate) diabetes and heart disease, among other systemic health problems.
Also remember: Bad breath, caused by lack of brushing, can be quite severe; and unfortunately, the person who has the bad breath can't smell it. This means you may be walking around with severely bad breath that everyone else has to smell, but that you are unaware of. This is another great reason to brush your teeth!
.Good luck; even though I work in the dental field, I have trouble motivating myself too, so I do understand – hopefully some of these tips will help motivate you!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Print out a picture of dental decay and write down $200 per filling and place it on your bedside table and above the toilet. Also set your mobile phone schedule reminder for twice a day. You could also carry a spare toothbrush and little toothpaste in your bag for when you forget so you can use it during the day maybe. (I have one at work that I use after lunch.)
Brush your teeth right before you go to bed(make sure you're not too tired, don't stay up late and forget to do it) and right after breakfast. And continue to do so every day. Given a month or so it should be a habit.
Do you have someone that could remind you to do it? Even just send you a sms at the right times?
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