Chef. Chauffer. Teacher. Event coordinator. Financial planner. Personal shopper.
So, who are these remarkable, multi-tasking people?
Parents.
Moms and dads will do just about anything to ensure healthy, happy children. But with the constant appointments, practices and crazy schedules, it’s hard to keep everything (and everyone) in line.
While it’s fine to occasionally rush out the door without your cell phone, you should never leave the house without brushing your teeth. Tooth decay is nearly 100% preventable, which means the (healthy smile) ball is in your court.
When we get busy, we tend to be less organized. Here are some tips to ensure a smoother routine and a smile-filled family:
- Repetition makes routine. Make your brushing behaviors more second nature than they already are. Do everything in the same order. Wake-up, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, BRUSH. Regardless of which order works for you, enjoy meals before you brush.
- Do it together. Multi-task, but in the best way – make brushing and flossing a family affair! If you can’t do it together every day, keep kids accountable with a brushing and flossing chart.
- Keep everything in the same place. Keep toiletries together in their respective bathroom. For example, don’t store a hairbrush in the kitchen junk drawer (gross!). Your hairbrush is happier in its home – the bathroom. And your toothbrush is too.
- Visit the dentist regularly. That’s right! Visiting your dentist regularly compliments your daily brushing and flossing, keeping your mouth and body healthy for the long term. Visit an in-network dentist to save money too!
Enough reading — get back to saving your family, super moms and dads! Do you have any tips for sticking to your routine? Share them in the comments below!
Editors Note: This post was originally published March 2015. The content was revised and updated July 2023.
