5 Ways to Follow Through and Brush Like a Champ!

We get it. Brushing every day can be tough — but it’s so important! But you’re human, and it can be tough to remember on a 2x per day basis. You swear you’ll do it before bed, but you’re just too tired one night — and that turns out to be half the week! Here are 5 techniques to prompt yourself to brush and improve your overall dental health.

Brush 1 Hour Before Bed

Most of us settle in before bed — whether that’s curling up in front of the TV, reading a book, or cuddling with significant others or pets. Before you snuggle up, make a point of brushing your teeth. Most of the time, we plan to brush our teeth but then put it off until we are too tired — then it’s just too tempting to skip it. Get brushing out of the way beforehand, and you can just slip off into dreamland with a clean, refreshed mouth.

Appreciate How Clean Your Mouth Feels

A clean mouth feels amazing — like your teeth just stepped out of the shower. After you brush, make a point of noticing how clean and fresh your mouth feels. And thank yourself. Your mouth is certainly grateful!

Use a Smart Toothbrush

Many ultrasonic or electric toothbrushes have built-in timers to help keep you on track. Some will even let you know if you are brushing too hard, which is great if you tend to go a little heavy-handed. Smart toothbrushes can connect to your phone and track your habits for you. Not to mention, smart toothbrushes have advanced cleaning technology that can really target plaque. If you want healthier gums and reduced cavities, you might consider one.

Use Brushing Apps

There are plenty of smartphone apps that can encourage you to brush — many are for kids, but they can still be helpful for adults. These apps will first remind you to brush, and they’ll help you keep track. They can also provide timers — even to your favorite music — so you can be sure to brush for the 2-minute interval recommended by your Cincinnati dentist.

Keep a Brushing Diary

This is an especially helpful tool to help kids track their progress and develop healthy habits for life. Even adults can benefit from keeping a log, especially if you don’t have or don’t want to use a smart device to do it for you. A brushing log doesn’t need to record your life story, but you can note how often you brush and if you forget. Noting each successful brush is a great way to reward yourself. The times we forget, we often don’t notice, but they do add up. Keep track, and you’ll forget less.

Partner with Your Spouse/Family

Another great way to encourage yourself to brush is to enlist the entire family. Tell your spouse. Tell your children you are trying to brush more often. Create family brushing calendars so everyone’s on board. Couples can support each other. Parents can serve as examples for kids when they make brushing a priority.

Keep it Clean, Keep it New

You can’t keep your teeth clean with a worn-out toothbrush. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Keep an eye on the brush head: if it starts to resemble an old mop, throw it out. Bristles should look straight and not curved or frayed. If you use an electric toothbrush, replace the heads every three months since they wear down faster.

This may seem obvious, but to avoid contamination, never share a toothbrush. Also, never soak it in disinfectant, remember to rinse it thoroughly after use, and store it in open air to dry.