Brushing your teeth every day is one of the best things you can do for your smile. At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we remind our patients to brush and floss on a regular basis.
Healthy teeth make a beautiful smile. Brushing can also help with gum health and even keep your breath smelling sweet.
For some of us, brushing can be a irritating chore that gets in the way of a good time. Hopefully you don’t think of brushing in such dire terms, but it happens.
The best way to built brushing into your routine is to make it a habit. If you can do that, you’ll be one step closer to a life of successful checkups.
Here are some tips for creating a good habit that you can teach to your kids. These tips will also work on teens. And they work on adults, too:
Keep It Simple
One of the best ways to create a habit is to keep the requirements simple. Brushing teeth is already a simple task, but we can focus on the simplicity to help it stick as a habit.
Regular Timing
One of the cornerstones of a habit is routine. Routine is rooted in consistent timing. Choose at least two, or three regular times to brush your teeth. Set a timer if you have to, but it’s best to create a habit around other regular activities. “First thing in the morning” or “after breakfast” are good times. After dinner or just before getting into bed are also good times.
Stick To It
Research indicates it takes about two weeks to create a habit. You have to do a task for at least two weeks in a row before your brain will turn it over to auto-pilot and make it into a habit. Your brain tries to do this with routine things so you don’t have to keep the task in your short-term memory.
Improve It
Finally, any good habit needs constant improving. You can improve your habit of brushing your teeth by working on proper form, or by adding a little bit of time. Work toward the two minute mark.
Start Today
There’s no time like right now to get started on creating healthy habits for your teeth. If you are having trouble with brushing, make a commitment to work on it starting now. If you are caring for a child, or working with a teenager, help reinforce good habits with reminders, positive support, and a leading example.
Don’t forget those regular checkups here, at Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO! We offer complete general and family dentistry, plus special services like dental implants. Call for an appointment today!
Contact Boulder County Smiles:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026
