As a busy parent, it can be difficult to find time to worry about your own health. However, neglecting your own needs can be detrimental to your overall wellness. This includes oral health. According to the CDC, 46% of adults over 30 show signs of gum disease. If you fall into this category, there are ways to make handling your oral health easier while caring for your children. Here are some tips to get you started.
Brush and Floss Every Day
Make oral health non-negotiable. Brush and floss your teeth every day. You should be doing it three times a day, but twice can still have major benefits. If you are consistent, eventually it will just become a habit to brush your teeth in the morning and at night. The NIH says that over 50% of adults have gingivitis on an average of three to four teeth. By regularly cleaning your teeth, you can avoid becoming part of this statistic.
Go to the Dentist
While caring for your mouth at home is very important, it is also essential that you go to the dentist twice a year. Your dentist can give you a deep cleaning that is impossible to do yourself. They have the training and the tools needed to get to the spots that you can't reach.
Going to the dentist also shows your children that it is a good thing to do. When you're busy, the last thing you want is for your children to fight you over what needs to be done. Make dentist appointments for yourself and for them. They could be on the same day or at different times. They'll see that it is no big deal and be calm during theirs. Meanwhile, you will get to have your teeth cleaned. You'll also get an exam, where your doctor can check for any problems before they become severe.
Even if you're busy, going to the dentist doesn't take much time. Plus, by going to the dentist regularly, you can avoid dental emergencies. While about 85% of urgent care patients are taken care of within an hour, you don't want to wait for a medical professional at an urgent care to help you during an emergency when you could have just gone to the dentist in the first place!
Set an Example for Your Children
Much like going to the dentist, your oral health habits will influence those of your children. So if you're not feeling motivated to brush and floss for yourself, do it for them. They'll see that you do it every day. They might ask you why, which gives you a great opportunity to discuss the importance of caring for yourself! They may also want to be more like you. Take advantage of that and show them how to brush and floss in order to care for their oral health.
Keep Your Own Oral Care Products
Kids can get messy. When your only option is a crusty toothpaste tube with a missing cover, it can make you even less motivated to brush your teeth before bed. Buy your own oral care products and keep them tucked aside somewhere that no one else will find and use them. This will allow you to choose products you actually like without worrying that they'll be destroyed. You might splurge and get a nice electric toothbrush, plus some toothpaste that doesn't have to be for children. Having nice things can make small chores like brushing your teeth more enjoyable.
No matter how busy you are, you need to take care of your oral health. Outside of the immediate problems with gum disease, your oral health can also impact the rest of your body. So, find the time and motivation to take care of yourself as you care for your children. These tips will help you do so.
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