Whether we like to admit it or not, we human beings are certainly habitual creatures! We are most comfortable when we are following our typical patterns in sleeping, eating, and the hundreds of other things that we do on a daily basis. Our routines are, for the most part, good for us; they help our bodies know what to expect and how to best prepare for each day’s work. Unfortunately, though, we all know how easy it is to fall into bad habits, from watching too much TV in the evening to eating a generous helping of dessert after every meal. When January 1 comes around, we often try to break out of those bad habits with a new year’s resolution or two.
But we can also use habits to improve our health! Establishing good habits is not as difficult as you might think, and once you have gotten used to doing something that is good for you, you will have set yourself up for success in that area for the rest of your life. Here are some good habits that our expert in family dentistry in Raleigh, NC recommends you and your family try to add to your routine:
BRUSHING TEETH
You may be tired of hearing that you should brush your teeth every day, but it is still true! Family dentistry in Raleigh, NC is most successful when the patient in the chair has been spending a little time every day removing debris and sources of infection from his or her teeth. If you, as an adult, have never brushed on a regular basis, it will take a little creativity to get yourself used to it. Fortunately, there is plenty of technology available to help you get into this important pattern. Simply set your phone’s alarm to remind you to brush at a time that you are always at home: it might be 6:30 AM or 11:00 PM, but as soon as that alarm goes off, brush your teeth before you have a chance to forget about it. After just a few weeks, you probably won’t need the alarm any more; you will naturally remember that it’s time to brush.
Kids will need guidance from their parents to establish these good brushing habits, and they will also need to be shown how to brush effectively. Developing a habit of halfhearted brushing for just a couple of seconds each evening won’t do much to ward off tooth decay and gum disease!
REGULAR VISITS FOR FAMILY DENTISTRY IN RALEIGH, NC
Not all routines are daily. The best way for you to catch infections and potential problems in time to resolve them easily is to have your dentist and his team inspect your oral health on a regular basis. At our office for family dentistry in Raleigh, NC, our front desk staff makes it as easy as possible for you to schedule your next visit while you’re in the office so that you don’t have to remember to make the appointment on your own.
Family dentistry in Raleigh, NC is especially important for children, as their teeth change and grow quickly. If your family dentist is monitoring that growth, he can identify any irregularities and resolve them before they create serious, painful problems. Make regular visits to the dentist a routine for everyone in your family!
SQUASH BAD HABITS
Remember those bad habits we mentioned? The teeth suffer from more than their share of common bad habits, such as biting fingernails, grinding teeth, and using the teeth to open tough plastic bags and packaging. Helping your children avoid these habits and making the effort to beat them yourself if you’ve developed them are worth the work! You’ll help you and your kids avoid developing TMJ or other painful disorders later on.
Family dentistry in Raleigh, NC is your best partner as you work to end bad habits and start good ones. Make that a family activity, too—if everyone keeps everyone else accountable, you’ll all stand a much better chance of succeeding! We look forward to meeting you and your family and helping you enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles for a lifetime.