Checklists have been proven to be useful when performing tasks. In fields like aviation, construction and medical, the usage of checklists has saved lives. In less life threatening professions, checklists can help people do things more efficiently and avoid costly mistakes. In our daily routines, checklists can help ensure we are completing our tasks.
There are many habits that we know we are to perform each day. Habits such as brushing and flossing can sometimes become such a ritual that we forget if we’ve actually performed the task or not. A checklist by your sink where you brush and floss might help you in your goal of having optimal dental health.
The best way to form a checklist is to find what works best for you. Make sure it is visible for you to see every time you enter the bathroom. Make sure it is an easy checklist to mark off so the process does not become cumbersome. Make sure it is water resistant, so it won’t get ruined by water drips or puddles.
Here are some fun ideas for checklists to help you monitor and maintain your daily dental routine.
- Use your bathroom mirror as a reminder board. Dry-erase markers are a fun and easy way to write down your dental checklist. The marker erases easily with a washcloth or paper towel.
- Laminate a calendar page. Use a dry-erase marker to put a check mark each day that you flossed and brushed. You could color code the checks. Blue checks could represent brushing, and brown could represent flossing. There should be two blue checks and one brown check in each calendar box each day.
- For young children who can’t read, make their checklist with pictures to represent their daily dental tasks.
Make sure your checklist includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once per day for optimal dental health. You may want to add things like wearing rubber bands for those wearing braces in your household.
Your dental health and habits are important to us at Thousand Oaks Dental. Call our office today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Thompson.
Posted on behalf of Thousand Oaks Dental