The new year is a perfect time to establish new habits that benefit your health for years to come. Whether it’s routinely visiting your hygienist, starting to floss, or committing to brushing your teeth after each meal, these goals can be critical for health and overall fitness.
Remember to take baby steps to achieve these goals, as habits don’t form overnight.
#1: Prevent Gum Disease
A simple way to improve your oral health and prevent gum disease is to start a daily routine of brushing and flossing. The most effective way to remove plaque is by brushing twice a day with a good toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. For optimal results, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line and move the toothbrush across your teeth.
Try to floss at least once per day to remove any buildup that has accumulated on your gum line. We recommend you replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
#2: Routine Dental Cleaning
You may think your dental routine and overall oral hygiene are as good as it gets, but if you don’t visit your dentist every 6 months, you may be missing trouble spots that you can’t see. If it’s been more than 6 months since your last dental appointment, make sure you schedule one ASAP to prevent gum disease or other complications down the road.
#3: Quit Using Tobacco Products
Stop using tobacco or smokeless tobacco products. Numerous studies have found the dangers that lie within each puff of a cigarette—your oral health, as well as your overall health, are at risk. Join support groups for accountability so that you can say “no” to tobacco.
#4: Whiten Your Smile
Start the year off with a bright smile. There are numerous ways to make your smile whiter and brighter, including dental veneers. Drinks like wine, coffee, and tea can turn your teeth from a porcelain color to a faded yellow. We also offer in-house whitening treatments—talk to your dentist today.
#5: Get Dental Work
The start of a new year means it’s time to stop procrastinating. If you’ve been putting off getting dental work done, the new year is a great time to complete recommended dental work, so your dental health can be in tip-top shape. Procedures like crowns, implants, and fillings help restore and preserve the integrity of your teeth.
#6: Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a condition usually caused by stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, or teeth that are out of alignment. Symptoms of teeth grinding include headaches, tooth pain, jaw soreness, or fractured tooth surfaces. If you think you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist for solutions. A common solution for teeth grinding is wearing a nightguard or a mouthguard.
Whatever goals you set this year, make sure you start a habit for great oral hygiene. This will not only impact your oral health now, but for years to come. Make an appointment with us today.