9 Reasons Brushing Your Teeth Feels Like A Chore And How To Fix It
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Do you feel like brushing your teeth is a chore?? Then here are all the best tips and tricks to get you out of bed and have a cleaner mouth!

I know that sometimes I think to myself “Brushing your teeth feels like a chore??” And then I realize that I am slipping into depression and need to do a few things to start moving myself out of it!
This post is all about why brushing your teeth feels like a chore and some ways that you can fix it!
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Here Are 9 Reasons Brushing Your Teeth Feels Like A Chore And Some Recommendations To Fix It!
1. You Got Into Bed Too Quickly
Getting under some cozy blankets with TikTok pulled up and water next to your bed is the best feeling. But when you forget to brush your teeth it can ruin the whole experience.
Take a moment to get ready for bed before even plugging your phone in. Don’t let yourself sit down until it is time to sleep.
This kinda goes for any tasks you need to get done that day. For me, I don’t get into bed until all my blogging is done for the day. That means even though I can type in bed, I don’t.
My Recommendations:
- Keep a list of what you need to get done on top of your bed so that you know what you need to have done before you can get into bed.
- Have your bed made as a reminder to get everything done before you hop into the crisp sheets.
2. You Waited Too Long To Brush Your Teeth
Sometimes you get into bed thinking you will get up and brush your teeth in an hour or so, but then you get all comfy and you don’t feel like doing it anymore.
Instead of waiting until right before you go to sleep to brush your teeth, get it done right after your last meal or drink of the night so that you don’t forget later on!
My Recommendation:
- After you are finished eating, go ahead and brush your teeth. If you decide to get a snack later, that’s okay! Your teeth just need to be brushed at least twice a day to prevent tartar buildup.
- Keep a clean dry toothbrush with a case on it by your bed so you can scrub your teeth at a bare minimum. Here is a cute cover you can purchase on Amazon.

3. Your Bathroom Is A Mess
I know that when I am going through a depressive episode or am simply just too stressed my bedroom and bathroom are the first places to go from tidy to horrific. That is why we kinda need to look out for this so we know that we are starting to get stressed out or depressed.
In the meantime, we’ve gotta brush our teeth, so making some space for you to walk in and out of your bathroom is key.
My Recommendations:
- If your bathroom looks like Godzilla just ran through it, then I suggest that you get a laundry basket for in your bathroom or right outside.
- Make a line of cleanliness from your bathroom door to the sink so that you have clear access to brush your teeth.
- If you need some really simple products for your bathroom, here is a link to my storefront that has all of my faves and products that I recommend!
4. You Are Still Hungry
When you are still hungry you don’t want to brush your teeth because you know you are just gonna have to brush them again or you will taste mint when eating a late-night snack.
There are a few solutions to this that you might not want to hear, but just hear me out!
My Recommendations:
- Eating more protein and fiber will help keep you fuller longer. Try to get in some extra beans and lentils if you are looking for a cheap source of fiber and protein.
- Stay away from empty calories as much as you can. Instead of filling up on chips and queso, eat a few and then move on to a nutrient-dense side dish or entre to balance out your meal.

5. You’re Not Drinking Water In Bed
If you bring a drink up to bed that isn’t water then you aren’t going to want to brush your teeth. You have to be really careful about what you are drinking right before bed because if it is sugary then all that sugar will sit on your teeth and build plaque super quickly.
A simple solution is to drink water, but here are a few other options:
My Recommendations:
- Keep some of these pre-pasted toothbrushes in your nightstand so you can give your teeth a good scrub while you are still in bed!
- Stay away from caffeinated drinks before bed so that you don’t mess up your sleep schedule and then in turn are too tired to brush your teeth the next night. We don’t want to start a cycle of poor oral health.
- Here is my favorite water bottle if you are looking for a great Stanley dupe! This water bottle stays with me at all times (it is right next to me right now…) And it is perfect because it can fit in your car cupholder, it keeps your water FRIGID, and it doesn’t spill… Sorry, I talk about this Simple Modern Water Bottle because it is honestly one of my biggest obsessions after getting it for Christmas a few years ago!
6. Your Toothpaste Is Too Minty
When you feel overwhelmed by the taste of your toothpaste you are never going to brush your teeth. That is why it is so important to look at your oral care routine and see what is causing your mouth to light up.
Sometimes it can actually wake you up to brush your teeth with such a strong toothpaste, so I want you to look around and find a milder toothpaste.
My Recommendations:
- If your toothpaste gives you the ick every time you use it, try out a few different kids’ toothpaste. There are always good deals on kids’ toothpaste at CVS.
- Boka has some great fluoride-free toothpaste that you can use at night. I would just recommend using toothpaste with fluoride in the morning. My dad is a dentist and he said that the nano-hydroxyapatite is great for your teeth as well! (P.S. I enjoy the mint flavor as a nighttime toothpaste that gets my teeth clean but doesn’t irritate my senses.)
- Boka has a whole line of products that are amazing for sensitive mouths. The brand as a whole has really mild products that won’t cause you to feel overwhelmed! Here is a link to all my favorite Boka products!
7. You Don’t Have An Easy Routine
When building out your routine, it is important to think about the ease with which you can accomplish it and balance that with necessities and what is best for you!
My Recommendations:
- Have a few different lists in your bathroom depending on your energy level. So maybe on a sleepy night, you don’t need to do that extra toner, but on a night where you have plenty of energy maybe you scrape your tongue and put on a face mask!
- Having one simple toothpaste and toothbrush can make all the difference. Put all the floss and mouthwash under the sink so that you can start building up a simpler routine that you can slowly add more onto later. Here is a link to my storefront for this post and it contains some great products that will simplify your routine! (Also in my storefront are some extra products that I am obsessed with!)
8. Social Pressure Sharing A Bathroom
When sharing a bathroom with someone it can be embarrassing to brush your teeth in front of other people. This can cause kinda the opposite effect where you decide you just won’t brush your teeth in fear of them seeing you spit into the sink.
My Recommendations:
- Use brushing your teeth as kinda of a get-to-know-each-other where you can be silly and laugh together!
- Keep a toothbrush cover on a dry toothbrush next to your bed and at least scrub your teeth! Here is a link to my favorite toothbrush cover. It is so pretty and it will make you feel more confident brushing your teeth in front of others. (I know I talked about these already, but I genuinely love this product!)
- Another product I talked about that I love so much for this struggle is travel toothbrushes that already have toothpaste on them. Here are some great disposables that you can also keep by your bed to have while you gain the confidence to brush your teeth in front of others! Also, if you are worried about swallowing the toothpaste, these are designed with that concern in mind! You don’t have to worry about swallowing this toothpaste!
9. You Are Depressed
Now this one is hard because I am not going to give you any recommendations except to talk to someone close to you or a healthcare professional. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, please call the suicide hotline at 988.
But I do notice that brushing my teeth isn’t something I lose very quickly, it is usually my bedroom that goes first, but if it does get to that stage then I know it is time to incorporate more self-care, talk to my therapist, and get cracking on my productivity!
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Do you want to try any of these products I talked about? Here is a link to my storefront that contains all of these products and more! Follow me to find great products that you will never want to put down!