Are You a Habitual Brusher?

Daily activities like bathing, combing your hair, making your bed, dressing, and eating may all be done without much attention or a second thought. They likely have become routine chores, actions that are completed almost automatically.

Hopefully, brushing and flossing are included in your daily list of such activities. However, it's best if they have not become such mundane activities that you pay them so little mind.

When an activity is performed regularly over time, it can develop into a habit. But, just as with developing good habits, repeated activities performed poorly or incorrectly can develop into bad habits.

If you believe you may have developed some bad habits regarding brushing or flossing, let this moment be your wake-up call. Pay attention! Give proper thought to your daily oral routine to consider if you're correctly caring for your teeth and gums, as advised by a dentist in North Macon. Ask yourself ...

Do I have the right toothbrush?

Use a soft-bristle brush, a fluoride toothpaste, and brush for at least two minutes twice per day. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months, or immediately following a cold or illness.

Am I using good brushing techniques?

Angle the brush at 45 degrees toward the gumline, and use short, gentle strokes. Be sure to include ALL surfaces of your teeth, including the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces. When cleaning the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically, and use up-and-down strokes.

Am I forgetting anything?

Don't overlook brushing your tongue to help remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh. Remember to include care for your gums by flossing carefully. Brushing alone won't remove all plaque between teeth and along the gumline. So, don't forget to floss!

Being a "habitual brusher" can be a good thing or a bad thing. If it's so habitual that you're possibly just going through the motions without recognizing the importance of how you brush and floss, it may be time to break that habit and start a new one. Develop a brushing and flossing habit where you consciously pay attention to the details. They do matter.

If you aren't yet a "habitual brusher and flosser," here are a few tricks to help you develop these valuable habits that lead to lifelong benefits:

• Pairing one routine with another can increase your awareness, helping draw your focus to the new habit. For example, you might say, "I always brush after breakfast," and "I always brush before bed."
• Using your phone alarm or sticky notes as reminders can help make you more aware of the habit you are trying to develop for yourself.
• Track your progress. Add a habit tracker to your journal. It will feel good to make note of your success, which will help to reinforce your new habit and lead to continued success.
• Make it fun! Try new toothpaste flavors. Listen to a song or podcast as you brush and floss. Reward yourself for consistent good behavior. You deserve it when you become not a passive, but rather a focused "habitual brusher."

Maintaining good oral hygiene is a must. Brushing your teeth and flossing must be included in your daily list of activities. Contact Macon Smiles today and meet Dr. Katie M. Garvin to know more.