- Lack of Motivation - Nothing gets done without motivation -- that push we all need when our enthusiasm dwindles. Without motivation, achievements are not met and goals are not attained. And if you are anything like me, motivation is the only thing that gets you to the dentist. For some, the desire to have clean, healthy teeth is motivation enough to get to the dentist regularly. Others need more: tooth pain for instance. Unfortunately, once you have tooth pain, the damage is already done. Regular dental care does not happen without proper motivation. Here are tips to keep you motivated.
- Peer Pressure - Create a situation where you would be embarrassed not to go to the dentist, such as going with a friend. You can’t say no after watching your buddy get his or her teeth cleaned. Peer pressure is very powerful.
- Your To-Do List - Include regular dental care on your to-do list. Taking a daily inventory of what needs to be done makes "not doing" much harder. In addition, you get the satisfaction of checking off items when you have completed the task.
- Strength in Numbers - My third tip relates to the first: Stay in touch with other people. These people will motivate you by the fact they have needs and problems as well. For instance, you could sleep until noon, watch television all afternoon, and eat and go to bed and get absolutely nothing done. But by having a spouse, friend, or child in your day, their needs and problems force you to get off the coach and interact with them, getting your items taken care of as well.
- Support Groups - Join a support group or social group. Like our last tip, having others in your life motivates you to get things done in your life. Not to mention support groups allow people to share similar concerns and issues. Simply put everyone in the group needs a trip to the dentist and supporting one another will make that easier.
- Know Yourself and Your Disease - Get "in touch" with yourself and your disease. Learn all you can about your disease and what it takes to stay healthy. Push yourself, make a promise to yourself to do something each day to improve your health, like going to the dentist for instance. As you succeed, your motivation to continue increases and before you know it you are seeing a dentist on a regular basis.
- Peer Pressure - Create a situation where you would be embarrassed not to go to the dentist, such as going with a friend. You can’t say no after watching your buddy get his or her teeth cleaned. Peer pressure is very powerful.
Maintaining Your Dental Health
As we have stressed throughout this piece, regular trips to the dentist are an important part of maintaining optimal dental health. But even if you can't afford regular dental visits, there are things you can do at home to maintain a healthy set of teeth.- Brush Your Teeth - Teeth should be cleaned at least twice each day using a manual or electric toothbrush. Make sure the bristles of your toothbrush are soft to avoid trauma to the gum tissue. Gum tissue trauma increases the likelihood of infection and can cause tooth pain and sensitivity. The head of the toothbrush should be small enough to get in those hard-to-reach places in the back of your mouth. And remember to gently brush your tongue as well.
- Floss Daily – Flossing is one thing that most people neglect but in fact is probably the best way to prevent tooth decay and dental problems. Flossing helps remove plaque that builds up between teeth in places brushing can reach. It also removes food particles that can help cause decay. Flossing has become easier with the advent of dental flossers, small disposable handles with floss at one end that makes flossing less cumbersome.
- Antimicrobial Mouth Rinses – Antimicrobial mouth rinses such as Listerine can provide additional protection from the bacteria that can cause some of the most common oral infections. However, using such a rinse does not replace a trip to your dentist and in many cases will not do much to prevent some of the more complex and serious manifestations of HIV.
The importance of good dental care can't be overstated. Dental health is often an afterthought for most of us. People living a healthy life with HIV can't make that mistake. A healthy mouth will help your overall health as well. Make an appointment with your dentist today, get your teeth cleaned, get a thorough exam and talk to the dentist about ways you can keep your mouth and teeth health. Finally, don't forget that last step as you leave the office: make your next cleaning appointment. Your mouth and your body will thank you.
