Having a good oral hygiene routine is key to maintaining oral and dental health in the long term. Keeping a consistent routine is not always easy, though, especially for individuals with ADHD. Whether you’re an adult with ADHD or you simply have trouble with some Executive Function skills, you may find it challenging to keep up with a consistent oral hygiene routine. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to find a solution. According to one study, children and adolescents with ADHD present with worse oral health conditions and need greater attention from dental professionals and those responsible for their diet and oral hygiene. The implications of these findings are not necessarily limited to one age group. In fact, many adults with ADHD experience unique challenges regarding their oral hygiene. Another study found that adults with ADHD show a higher level of dental anxiety and poorer self-rated oral health. Fortunately, help is available.
You do not have to work on your routine alone. With a free guide on Executive Function tools and strategies, you can start building crucial self-management skills. Personalized Executive Function coaching can also offer major benefits. Ready to start improving your oral wellness? By following a few highly effective tips, you can get started now.
5 effective tips for maintaining an oral hygiene routine
- Set reminders — Setting reminders is a simple action that can lead to significant results. By setting reminders for yourself, you can avoid forgetfulness regarding your oral hygiene. Reminders can come in many forms. You may want to set a reminder alarm on your phone or attach a sticky note to your bathroom mirror. These simple reminders can help prompt you to brush and floss regularly. Professionals recommend brushing your teeth twice a day. With alarms in the morning and evening, you can ensure that you maintain a consistent oral hygiene schedule.
- Pair with other habits — Do you already have other good hygiene habits? Pairing them with an oral hygiene routine can make your transition easier. When an activity becomes a habit, it becomes easier to do consistently. You may even get to the point where the actions come automatically and you don’t have to actively think about your oral hygiene as much. By associating one habit with another, you can make your whole routine more robust. For example, you can start brushing your teeth after brushing your hair each morning. By linking these tasks, brushing your hair can become a daily reminder to maintain your oral hygiene.
- Floss daily — While brushing your teeth is crucial, it’s not the only important aspect of a strong oral hygiene routine. Flossing and using mouthwash are essential as well. By flossing every day, you can remove food particles and plaque in areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Like brushing your teeth, flossing and using mouthwash tend to become easier with time. Building a routine and working on Executive Function skills such as self-control can help you keep your teeth healthy for years to come.
- Drink water — Do you experience a lot of anxiety regarding your teeth? If so, taking further steps to maintain your dental and oral hygiene may offer some relief. One of the best things you can do to keep your teeth healthy is drinking water. In addition to keeping you hydrated, water helps wash out bacteria and food particles in your mouth. Water also serves as an excellent substitute for sugary beverages that contribute to tooth decay.
- Visit your dentist — If you want professional help with your oral hygiene, a dentist can help. Dentists offer assistance through services ranging from root canals to routine teeth cleanings. If you feel like you’re behind on your oral hygiene, a deep cleaning from a dentist can have a major impact. A dentist can also check for any problems, allowing for early intervention with any dental conditions. While a professional cleaning can be great for your dental health, it’s also important to continue maintaining your oral health at home. An Executive Function coach can help you stay on track after your dentist visit. By working with you to follow your dentist’s guidance, your coach can encourage you to build and maintain healthy habits.
Develop better routines with help from WorkSmart, a division of Beyond BookSmart
Every individual has the ability to become the best version of themselves by improving their Executive Function skills, such as emotional regulation, organization and time management. All of these skills can be taught, learned and applied for success. They can contribute to an effective oral hygiene routine that leads to greater comfort and better long-term dental health.
At WorkSmart Coaching, a division of Beyond BookSmart, we help people improve these important, lifelong skills through our Executive Function coaching services. We also know that every individual has unique strengths and challenges. That’s why we customize our coaching sessions for your individual needs, learning differences and emotional patterns.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.
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