What to do when you can’t brush your teeth?

However, how you do it is important, because what you think what you should do can actually harm your teeth and gums. We talked to dentists and therapists about the best ways to get back to brushing after a short (or long) hiatus.

First, you’ll want to brush your teeth longer, not harder

Whether you’ve been late brushing your teeth for a few days, a week, or a few months, returning to a regular schedule is always best. One thing you don’t want to do? Make up for lost brushing by brushing too hard, says Rob Raimondi, DDS, orthodontist and co-founder of One Manhattan Dental.

The strong brushing instinct makes sense: You’ve missed a few brushings and your teeth feel dimmer than usual, so you apply some elbow grease while brushing to compensate. The problem with that, says Dr. Raimondi, is that it can often make matters worse. “Brushing too hard can wear down your teeth and gums, creating cuts that cause inflammation. And inflammation in the gums is what presses on teeth and promotes bacteria growth,” says Dr. Raimondi.

You don’t have to turn on full-blown windshield wipers, but what can you do? “If your teeth feel like they should [to be] For extra clean, I always recommend brushing longer, not harder,” says Dr. Raimondi.The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day with a toothbrush with so you should brush your teeth to make up session should be at least two minutes, but maybe another minute or two to remove excess residue.

For those who can’t measure the time themselves, a useful option that comes at no cost is to set a timer on your phone (or an old-fashioned kitchen timer) while you brush. There’s also an electric toothbrush that works on a two-minute timer, so you know exactly when to stop. Other high-tech electric toothbrushes buzz every 30 seconds, so you know when to switch to other areas of your mouth, and even higher-end models have sensors to alert you when you Brush teeth too hard.

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Here’s a tip for electric toothbrush users: Simply hold the brush close to your teeth and let the bristles vibrate to do their job—no extra brushing required. “Rubbing with an electric toothbrush is too strong for your teeth and really isn’t necessary,” says Dr. Raimondi. In fact, one sign of a good quality electric toothbrush is that you’ll get a nice clean without having to brush your teeth yourself.

4 tips if you are having trouble brushing your teeth regularly

KC Davis, LPC, therapist and author of the book says: “Once again, staying clean can be really difficult for many people, even though it’s not often talked about. How to stay home while drowning. For example, some people struggling with depression may not see the importance of taking care of themselves, including their teeth. Others may experience sensory overload from the brushing experience—making brushing an uncomfortable task. And for people with chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, brushing can be painful or difficult.

Humans falter with caregiving duties, coming to a complete halt. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to brush your teeth, Davis has some recommendations. But first, consider what’s going on with you—that means accepting your place with brushing and trying to figure out what’s holding you back from the experience, she says. For example:

1. If brushing your teeth makes you super boring, a video game-powered toothbrush that scores you points can make things more engaging and, therefore, more manageable.
2. If you’re suffering from depression, Davis says that a pre-made disposable toothbrush can be helpful when getting up and going to the bathroom seems like a chore.
3. If there’s something about the experience that you don’t like—maybe the minty taste of toothpaste really bothers you—try different flavored toothpastes or toothbrushes vary until you find one you can tolerate.
4. If timing is an issue—for example, you’re a new parent or have a chronic illness—moving your toothbrush into the kitchen sink can serve as a reminder to brush when it’s time to do so. time.

Above all, she encourages people to view hygiene duties for what they bring to you, rather than a list of character flaws that society will make you believe in yourself for fighting. compete with them. Reframe those feelings of failure to address this—you deserve to feel comfortable and clean, and avoid any dental problems later in life. And if you still miss a few brushings, you know how to get back on track.