Self-care this Valentine’s
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, retailers are once again full of promotional items and experiences for loved ones. Increasingly, however, the trend has evolved to look at the importance of self-love, with the day offering an ideal opportunity to prioritise personal care and re-set intentions for the year ahead.
Practicing self-care is vital and can improve mental health, boost self-esteem and strengthen our capacity to love and connect with others. It also helps those who may be feeling anxious or lonely this season with a reminder to focus on their own mental and physical health.
Looking after our oral health should form a key part of self-care and something we should encourage patients to prioritise. We all know that having good oral hygiene can enhance our overall health as well as prevent gum disease, tooth decay and other serious health conditions, but it can do so much more including restoring confidence and self-belief. So many patients sadly have insecurities around their oral health and helping them to address these and navigate solutions, can go a long way.
A happy smile, for example, can have a huge impact on our relationships, careers and overall image. The British Dental Health Foundation says a simple smile can also make others feel at ease around you and can be a powerful show of emotion, which can ironically prove remarkably attractive to the opposite sex.
So, with the day of love fast approaching, what would make a difference to patients and improve their commitment to self-care?
A personal approach
Listening to the customer is fundamental. As with presents for loved ones, having a personal approach and understanding individual motivations and aspirations is key. While some patients may want their teeth whitened ahead of a special occasion or to improve their appearance and confidence, others may want to eliminate bad breath or just look after themselves more by improving their daily routine.
Fostering a deeper emotional understanding during consultations will help inform what is important and enhance the patient experience and clinical outcomes. Clinicians need to understand and try to combat a patient’s biggest insecurities and discuss practical options that can make a difference. Patients want to feel like they have been heard, and demonstrating empathy, understanding, and effective communication is key. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to oral health, and what is important for one person may not be for another.
The journey to better self-care is unique, but dental professionals can play an important role in helping patients prioritise self-care and recognise what is important to them.
Supporting the journey
Irrespective of what a patient wants to achieve, better oral health is not a quick fix and needs to be nurtured, loved, and cared for. Treatments personalised to the patient can go a long way to helping to restore confidence and self-belief, but they need to be supported with products and tools that can aid their journey.
Effective oral healthcare ranges can make a huge difference and put a smile on patient’s faces. They can encourage greater oral hygiene and care for the longer term, not just at Valentine’s. For example, brands like Kent Oral Care have a stylish Starter Kit in Pearl Pink and Graphite that provides all key oral care essentials in one go and helps patients maintain a deep, professional clean. With something for everyone, it is a great way to kick-start the journey to improved self-care.
The Kit includes their highly effective SONIK Electric Toothbrush, which many dentists and hygienists recommend. Using advanced fluid dynamics sonic pulse technology, it effectively cleans the surface and between teeth. It also comes with a smart 2-minute timer and three bespoke brush modes. It is also ultra-slim, lightweight and waterproof, providing a highly practical option for many patients looking for something new that can be easily incorporated into their daily routines. With a 45-day battery life and super-fast charging in 2 hours, it is convenient for those on the go or when away for work or pleasure.
Improving the whiteness of teeth is important to many patients who are looking to feel better about themselves. Kent’s Brilliant Whitening Toothpaste has been developed with an innovative whitening formula and effectively tackles tough stains. It quickly removes discolouration and yellowing, helping to reveal the natural whiteness of teeth and leaving patients feeling empowered. This, alongside effective treatment, can make patients feel younger and more confident.
What’s more with bad breath affecting an increasing number of adults, getting this under control and eliminating halitosis should be a core part of any self-care routine. The Kent antibacterial solution is expertly formulated to deliver fresh breath with every use and is also environmentally friendly, coming in 50ml mouthwash concentrate.
Final thoughts
So, as Valentine’s approaches, there is no better time to encourage patients to give themselves some deserved self-care and help them prioritise their oral health. Whether it’s just spending more time looking after their teeth or being healthier, simple steps can be taken to help them on their journey and add real value and meaning to self-love this year.
