We’ve seen talk about it everywhere, from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to PSAs at our places of work and education. Millions of Americans struggle with taking proper care of their teeth. Whether due to a busy lifestyle or health conditions that make keeping up with routines difficult, brushing your teeth regularly can be hard. Our team at Desert Pearl Dentistry knows we’re all doing our best to maintain good oral health. We’ve provided some tips to help guide you in overcoming your own challenges.
Ways That Brushing Your Teeth Can Be Challenging
Those with conditions such as ADHD and depression often find maintaining a daily routine difficult. However, even neurotypicals can struggle when life arrives with its usual helping of stress, deadlines, and just trying to find time for ourselves. The most important thing to know is that you’re not gross if you miss brushing your teeth once, twice, or even frequently. You’re just a human struggling to keep up with all the demands of day-to-day life, with varying degrees of success.
There are a few key points to helping yourself stay on track with dental hygiene, including:
- Self-Compassion: This may be surprising, but being kind to yourself is the first step. You must allow yourself to make mistakes and be human without thinking that it inevitably makes you lazy or gross.
- Identify Your Barriers: You can’t overcome them without knowing what they are. For most people, this isn’t just one thing. Your morning schedule may have you out the door before you get a chance. You may flop into bed after squeezing in some ‘me’ time when you get home from a busy day without finding time for your teeth.
- Find Loopholes: While brushing in the morning and evening may be ideal, it’s not as important as making sure you brush your teeth at all. Do you have a habit of chewing on things throughout the day? Grab a toothbrush and toss it into your bag. When you get the urge to chew, chew on that. Sugar-free chewing gum can also help protect your teeth, especially if it contains Xylitol. If a normal dental hygiene routine doesn’t work for you, take what steps you realistically can.
The most important thing you can do is contact your dentist for help. The team at Desert Pearl Dentistry understands that we all face our own unique challenges. We also know alternative ways of caring for your teeth that may not work as well as traditional approaches but are far better than simply not doing it. Together we can find solutions to help you maintain a beautiful smile free from disease and tooth decay.
Get More Tips From Desert Pearl Dentistry
If you’re ready to start finding innovative ways to overcome your struggles with dental hygiene, call (760) 568-0130 now! We’ll schedule an appointment for you and get you in for a consultation and exam. You’ll coordinate with our team to determine the realities of the challenges you face and find ways to ensure your teeth get the care they need despite them.
