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New Year's Resolution

January 1st, 2007 at 12:24 pm

It's the new year, and there's one thing I really, really want to change about myself.

I *need* to start taking better care of my teeth. Specifically, I need to start brushing regularly before I go to bed. Frown

The problem is that I never decide to go to bed. I always just allow myself to conk out whenever I feel tired enough. And I never know when that will be.

As a student, I fell asleep all the time while studying in bed (I don't believe in desks; plus, my chair sucks and I like my bed because it is warm). Now, I find that I'm falling asleep while reading in bed.

I know a possible solution is to brush my teeth *before* I start reading in bed, but I like to snack while reading. Also, I read all the time, and I never know when I'll conk out. Sometimes, I stay awake for hours. Other times, I'm out in ten minutes.

And, of course, once I'm already nodding off, I can almost never summon the willpower to wake myself up enough to go and brush my teeth.

I am terrified of seeing a dentist, even though I know I really need to. I regularly have nightmares about my teeth falling out. I can't sleep well at night because of the guilt, although it's still not enough to get me to wake myself up. I can feel my teeth rotting (I really hope that's all in my head).

In order to motivate myself, here's my plan. I'm going to pay myself a dollar for every time I brush my teeth. It'll be my dentist avoidance tax.

God, I hope this works.

Happy New Year, everyone!

7 Responses to “New Year's Resolution”

  1. LuxLiving Says:
    1167658928

    Good plan Mimi! I too am guilty of having no set bedtime just when the sleep urge hits I rush to the bed or it'll pass and I'll be up again all night. Maybe if we just brush as soon as we eat our last meal of the night it will be better than if we try to remember to do it after any snacks.

    Or how about a strong mouthwash kept bedside and a cup to 'spit' with?

    Not perfect but maybe doable?

  2. yummy64 Says:
    1167669654

    Brush after you eat - every time you eat. I know quite a few people who do that and have great teeth

  3. PRICEPLUS Says:
    1167686622

    Also remember to floss and go for clreanings at the dentist's office!Smile

  4. LuckyRobin Says:
    1167688201

    I think if you brush after breakfast and after supper it will go a long way towards mitigating the night time damage you are causing. One thing I do is keep a Reach flosser in a little cup on my headboard, and I floss while reading. It's fast and easy and flossing helps more than brushing in my opinion, though you ought to do both, obviously.

    Of course, snacking while reading isn't the best idea as you really have no idea how much you are eating since you aren't paying attention. Consuming calories that late at night isn't either. I can't remember if you were trying to lose weight or just get fit, but that kind of snacking will lead to weight gain if you aren't careful.

  5. baselle Says:
    1167689614

    My teeth are my secret shame, too. Frown

  6. amberfocus Says:
    1167813977

    Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! Day Two has just passed, and I'm holding up! I owe myself four bucks! (Heh, I sound like I'm in rehab.)

    Once I get a spare moment, I'm going to find my floss. I've already replaced my toothbrush. I will try to remember to invest in mouthwash the next time I'm in a supermarket.

    Oh, and call the dentist. Urg.

    And LuckyRobin--you must have me confused for someone else, because I am not trying to lose weight! For whatever reason (bizarre genetic mutation? hyperactive metabolism? bitten by a radioactive spider?), I am freakishly underweight naturally (bottom 2nd percentile), and can't seem to put on weight no matter what I eat. So no need to watch the snacking! Wink I hereby extend my apologies to the rest of humanity. If I knew my secret, I would share it with you guys. But only after I patent myself and make millions. Big Grin
    ~mimi

  7. lrjohnson Says:
    1168318303

    I made a resolution to brush at night too. I'm so glad I'm not alone in this.

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