Any tips on staying consistent with brushing teeth?

[Dust&Moonlight]

So to put it bluntly: I don't brush my teeth. I maybe do so once every 2 months or so, but in the grand scheme of things I simply don't do it. By night I'm too tired to go ahead and do it, and in the morning I don't have any motivation to do anything that I don't have to do. Couple that with a relatively-neglectful upbringing that had things like "washing my hands," and "brushing my teeth," barely mentioned and, yeah, it's not good.

However I kind of don't want my teeth to get that much worse than they already are. I've already had to had one molar removed because of neglect, and I've got a fair few fillings elsewhere. Even if I ultimately lack the motivation to care for myself in general, I do know that the pain and cost of bad teeth is really shit.

As such, I'd like to ask whether anyone has any tips regarding teeth-brushing? More specifically, how to keep at it even when you don't have the motivation to do much of anything else health-wise? What is the 'bare minimum', and how can I move on from that? Of course I know how to brush my teeth. I also have floss harps that make that fairly easy. It's just the 'doing' that's difficult for me.

Many thanks for any help here :)

 

[CarbonBased]

You might have heard of it, but there is a famous book centered around the benefits and approaches to setting your habits. You're free to read the book in full, of course, but I think a short summary of the book's main ideas could be enough for you

Atomic Habits Summary

Read this Atomic Habits summary to glean 3 key lessons from the book and learn James Clear's simple rules for better habits.

jamesclear.com

 

[tonicer]

I had the same problem when i was younger but going to the dentist multiple times a year because my teeth rotted away sucked more than brushing them twice a day so i started doing it daily. A couple of years ago i even started to use dental floss each evening. I hated myself a lot when i was younger but kinda grew into my body in a way that i don't hate it that much anymore. I still wish i was at least a little bit handsome.

 

[leaf23]

So to put it bluntly: I don't brush my teeth. I maybe do so once every 2 months or so, but in the grand scheme of things I simply don't do it. By night I'm too tired to go ahead and do it, and in the morning I don't have any motivation to do anything that I don't have to do. Couple that with a relatively-neglectful upbringing that had things like "washing my hands," and "brushing my teeth," barely mentioned and, yeah, it's not good.

However I kind of don't want my teeth to get that much worse than they already are. I've already had to had one molar removed because of neglect, and I've got a fair few fillings elsewhere. Even if I ultimately lack the motivation to care for myself in general, I do know that the pain and cost of bad teeth is really shit.

As such, I'd like to ask whether anyone has any tips regarding teeth-brushing? More specifically, how to keep at it even when you don't have the motivation to do much of anything else health-wise? What is the 'bare minimum', and how can I move on from that? Of course I know how to brush my teeth. I also have floss harps that make that fairly easy. It's just the 'doing' that's difficult for me.

Many thanks for any help here :)

• Store your toothbrush+toothpaste+cup by your bedside/within easy reach after getting out of bed. Often I lack the energy of even getting up from bed and there's the back-and-forth dilemma of 'should i even brush my teeth, take a bath etc'. But when I see my toothbrush within easy reach I more often (not always but still y'know) am motivated to take care of hygiene. I start to brush my teeth and push myself to go to the bathroom to finish it up.
• Reward yourself once you accomplish it each time. It doesn't matter that it's this small, common thing for others. Don't compare yourself with others, this has been hard for you but you did it! The reward can be anything, yummy coffee, an episode of your favorite show etc.
• Tie the action with another action and/or something nice. Make the chore/action an experience as pleasant and enjoyable as possible that you'd want to repeat it again. I've tried flavored toothpaste (flavors other than mint) and different scented soaps. I've also been tying brushing teeth with taking a bath, telling myself I can't take a bath unless I brush my teeth first, or that since I'm in the bathroom isn't it a waste to not brush my teeth since I'm in here anyway.
• Use a habit tracker. There are apps specifically for that or if you want to go old school, just build one into your planner/journal.
• Use an alarm for the same time everyday. I did this for food bc of my ED with mixed results soo I don't know if I should recommend it but just in case.

Good luck, you can do it!!

 

[Grasp of darkness]

For me, getting braces helped to motivate me to brush my teeth. I felt like if i wanted them straight, they might aswell look decent too.
Additionally, the feeling of having food stuck in your braces felt pretty disgusting to me, so that was a good motivator to brush aswell.
I'm off braces for years now, but the disgusting feeling remained if i don't brush, so that helps me out a lot.

 

[Mrs. T-800]

• Store your toothbrush+toothpaste+cup by your bedside/within easy reach after getting out of bed. Often I lack the energy of even getting up from bed and there's the back-and-forth dilemma of 'should i even brush my teeth, take a bath etc'. But when I see my toothbrush within easy reach I more often (not always but still y'know) am motivated to take care of hygiene. I start to brush my teeth and push myself to go to the bathroom to finish it up.
• Reward yourself once you accomplish it each time. It doesn't matter that it's this small, common thing for others. Don't compare yourself with others, this has been hard for you but you did it! The reward can be anything, yummy coffee, an episode of your favorite show etc.
• Tie the action with another action and/or something nice. Make the chore/action an experience as pleasant and enjoyable as possible that you'd want to repeat it again. I've tried flavored toothpaste (flavors other than mint) and different scented soaps. I've also been tying brushing teeth with taking a bath, telling myself I can't take a bath unless I brush my teeth first, or that since I'm in the bathroom isn't it a waste to not brush my teeth since I'm in here anyway.
• Use a habit tracker. There are apps specifically for that or if you want to go old school, just build one into your planner/journal.
• Use an alarm for the same time everyday. I did this for food bc of my ED with mixed results soo I don't know if I should recommend it but just in case.

Good luck, you can do it!!

@leaf23 has great suggestions and in my opinion a very kindhearted and upbeat tonal countenance in sharing it. Just reading this was like an encouragement and felt nice.

Might I support the different flavors – when I'm feeling quite cute and needy I use a bubblegum flavored paste, and it's PINK!, I have also seen interesting ones such as watermelon, grape, and orange. But it made me want to brush foreverrrrr. I feel like mint can be a slight deterrent as it's "prickly" to some.
Also I recommend buying a cute brush if you like it, get your favorite color or even one with the franchise you enjoy (who cares if it's for kids?!), and making it pretty as possible, such as putting all the utensils on a lovely little tray or platter that makes you want to savor it.

 

[zoidberg]

Get a soft toothbrush, not medium or hard. Have spare ones also, since a toothbrush lasts about 2-3 months then should be replaced. Get a decent toothpaste with fluoride. I like Tom's, a good quality brand without flavorings or unnecessary junk. Make it easy to do by having the gear near the sink since you are sure to be in there twice a day in the bathroom. Get a water flosser, those are great, and way easier than doing the floss thing. Keep in mind that losing teeth is a total drag and simply brushing twice a day keeps your smile looking good. Brush gently up and down, not sideways all along the tooth line, inside and out. Do it for at least 1-2 minutes. Spit, rinse, floss. Done. 5 minutes.

 

[letsnotmakeittoo22]

So to put it bluntly: I don't brush my teeth. I maybe do so once every 2 months or so, but in the grand scheme of things I simply don't do it. By night I'm too tired to go ahead and do it, and in the morning I don't have any motivation to do anything that I don't have to do. Couple that with a relatively-neglectful upbringing that had things like "washing my hands," and "brushing my teeth," barely mentioned and, yeah, it's not good.

However I kind of don't want my teeth to get that much worse than they already are. I've already had to had one molar removed because of neglect, and I've got a fair few fillings elsewhere. Even if I ultimately lack the motivation to care for myself in general, I do know that the pain and cost of bad teeth is really shit.

As such, I'd like to ask whether anyone has any tips regarding teeth-brushing? More specifically, how to keep at it even when you don't have the motivation to do much of anything else health-wise? What is the 'bare minimum', and how can I move on from that? Of course I know how to brush my teeth. I also have floss harps that make that fairly easy. It's just the 'doing' that's difficult for me.

Many thanks for any help here :)

My gums and teeth have rotted because it's so hard being neurodivergent and having good hygiene habits, especially when your suicidal and it's easy to say" well I'll be dead soon anyways "

This may sound dumb. But maybe a good noodle chart! Like print a calander, and get some cheap dollar store stickers and everyday you brush your teeth you get a good noodle sticker. Or set an alarm on your phone

 

[timetogo46892]

My gums and teeth have rotted because it's so hard being neurodivergent and having good hygiene habits, especially when your suicidal and it's easy to say" well I'll be dead soon anyways "

This may sound dumb. But maybe a good noodle chart! Like print a calander, and get some cheap dollar store stickers and everyday you brush your teeth you get a good noodle sticker. Or set an alarm on your phone

I love that idea! I think I just might do this. I think the visual of filling up a board with stars could be pretty satisfying and help me stick with the habit (which I desperately need to form). Thanks for the good idea.

 

[Forever Sleep]

In order to push myself to do the (multitude) of things I don't want to in life, I mostly try to scare myself into doing stuff by picturing the worst case scenario consequences if I don't. So- obviously- all the pain with teeth and mouth issues. Having to see the dentist. The expense too. Can you even afford to keep needing fillings etc?

Not that it should be a substitute for brushing but, I really like mouth wash. I tend to use it after brushing and, it makes my whole mouth feel much cleaner. That might be worth trying. Not that it should replace brushing but- if it really will be that or nothing some days- better to at least do that I would think.

You need to be careful which one you buy. Some are more potent than others. I think a milder one is better for everyday use. I use a Colgate one for that. For mouth issues, I find orginal Corsodyl good but- you're only supposed to use that from time to time.

Do you have an electric toothbrush? You maybe need ways of making it as easy as possible at least. Some of them have timers on to ensure you brush for long enough.

Not that it's all that audible over brushing but, I find music or, something on in the background tends to help me do stuff I'm loathed to do. You could use headphones I suppose.

The more extreme action would be to eat foods on occassion where you kind of have to brush and floss afterwards. I really like corn on the cob but, I always need to floss after that. Of course, it depends on whether you mind stuff caught in your teeth. It irritates me like crazy.

When I was young, there used to be these coloured tablets you chewed which then, stuck to the plaque and showed you where to brush more. That would be pretty extreme though- again. I once stupidly chewed one before attending a wedding and got into a panic that I may end up not getting the bright pink crap off of my teeth.

 

[tipoftheRGB]

You might have heard of it, but there is a famous book centered around the benefits and approaches to setting your habits. You're free to read the book in full, of course, but I think a short summary of the book's main ideas could be enough for you

Atomic Habits Summary

Read this Atomic Habits summary to glean 3 key lessons from the book and learn James Clear's simple rules for better habits.

jamesclear.com

I can confirm this book helped me to start brushing my teeth daily after not brushing my teeth for a week/weeks at a time - its a really good book

 

[madsxcxc]

If I want to go to upstairs to my bedroom, I have to pass my bathroom. What worked for me is that I associated passing the bathroom around nighttime with brushing my teeth. You could also associate using the bathroom around nighttime with brushing your teeth. Maybe even associating feeling slightly tired at night to mean it's time to brush your teeth, although it might be harder if you're tired.