Routines are something that we set and adhere to. Also, our brains are structured to create ‘shortcuts’ for us and we don’t have to think about every single thing we do. This has made our lives so much easier. When it comes to our oral health routine, it would be risky to allow these ‘shortcuts’ to come into the picture.
If you take the easy route and miss doing the things you need to do, bad habits are formed. You may forget to brush your teeth; you choose to brush at irregular times; you did not brush your teeth for more than two minutes; you consume lots of sugary drinks; or you refused to floss. This is what happens when your brain has ‘other’ ideas.
If this is happening to you, it is highly recommended that you put a stop to it and take the time to retrain your brain. At Arcadia Dental, our dentists are experts in oral hygiene in Franklin. They are able to provide detailed advice on what your role in oral hygiene should be.
For starters, habits are made up from three parts: the reward, the routine and the cue. The reward explains why you do it, the routine explains what you need to do and the cue prompts you to do something. Now let’s say you are going to skip your evening teeth routine. Your usual practice is to put on your pajamas before you sleep (the cue and routine). However, you decided that you want to get in bed quicker than usual to squeeze in more sleep time. By skipping the oral care segment, you already failed your routine.
With that in mind, you should only change the precursors if you wanted a change of routine. Sleep is the reward in this routine, and you want to maximize it. Hence, keep a set of comfy clothes within close reach so you spend less time on this section and can increase the time you have for brushing and flossing your teeth.
As mentioned above, you can spend less time on certain areas such as limiting your time spent watching television, organizing your clothes for the next morning as soon as you get home from work or even consider moving dinner forward by ten minutes. Of course, there are more ways you can create a new routine that can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle. This way, you will always have time to take care of your teeth and ensure your oral health is in tip top condition.
In most cases, it takes approximately two months for a routine to become a habit. However, a majority of people fail their routines within the first week. No matter what setbacks you face, you must stick to your routine, especially when your oral health is concerned. For starters, consider rewarding yourself for milestone achievements. These milestones can be a period of a few days, a week or a month. Once you hit your milestones consecutively and consistently, get yourself a physical reward – try to make that a healthy treat.
Sometimes you just need that extra push. Enlist the help of your spouse or family member to help keep you motivated. Whenever you feel lazy and want to skip brushing or any important part of a proper oral care regime. Remind yourself of the health and hygiene benefits of flossing and brushing throughout the day.
Hopefully the hacks above will encourage you to come up with a better oral health routine. Arcadia Dental wishes you the very best of luck in implementing the various techniques we’ve just shared. If you have any questions about oral care, don’t hesitate to contact us!
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For the healthiest smile, it’s a good idea to visit our Franklin Dental Office at Arcadia Dental a minimum of twice a year. Even if you think you have no cavities or dental problems, budgeting time and money for dental care is extremely wise.
Monday
8.00 AM – 7.00 PM
Tuesday
8.00 AM – 7.00 PM
Wednesday
9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Thursday
8.00 AM – 7.00 PM
Friday
9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Saturday
8.00 AM – 2.00 PM
We are accredited by the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). This designation confirms we have met the high standards necessary to provide quality care in the treatment of sleep apnea.
smiles@arcadiadentalfranklin.com
620 Old West Central St.,
Suite 201 Franklin,
MA 02038
Monday
8.30 AM – 5.00 PM
Tuesday
Wednesday
9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Thursday
10.00 AM – 7.00 PM
Friday
9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Saturday
8.00 AM – 2.00 PM
