Oral health New Year resolutions
What is it about resolutions that never seem to stick? When it comes to your oral health, it’s important to make good mouth hygiene part of your everyday routine so you’re not stuck making the same resolutions next year. Why? Because the way you care for your teeth and gums affects your whole body’s health, including a variety of dangerous chronic conditions.
Do we have your attention yet? Okay good - now commit to these 5 simple ways to improve your oral hygiene this year and for years to come.
1. Schedule a dental appointment/cleaning: Regular checkups to your dentist every 6 months will allow for preventative care of your teeth and gums, getting ahead of potential problems or treating them on the spot before they turn into something more complicated.
2. Commit to flossing (no, seriously!): We know all the patient tricks - floss a few days before going to the dentist; floss the morning of your appointment; or just flat-out don’t floss at all but tell the hygienist you’re a regular flosser. We’ve seen it all, and trust us, we don’t judge! But flossing your teeth at least once a day is imperative to a healthy mouth.
Flossing protects your teeth from gum disease by loosening food particles and bacteria that gets trapped between teeth that brushing alone cannot reach. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, only flossing can remove plaque, the thing that causes most gum disease and decay.
3. Cut back on sugar: The most common resolution people have is to lose weight, and sugar is one of the biggest culprits of weight gain, not to mention a slew of other health problems and diseases. Aside from this, cutting back on sugar is great for your oral health. Make a pledge to cut back on processed sugar to protect your teeth from cavities and reap the total body benefits.
4. Eliminate tobacco use: From teeth discoloration and cancer to gum disease and recession, there is literally nothing good that comes from tobacco. Now is the time to get serious about quitting any tobacco use, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and chewing tobacco, to improve your smile and prolong your life.
5. Eat mouth-healthy foods: Eating nutritious foods is not only healthy for your entire body, but it’s great for your overall mouth health. The nutrients and antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes allows your body to fight off bacteria and inflammation easier while eating crispy raw fruits/veggies cleans your teeth and gives you fresh breath.
You can see that making a commitment to good oral hygiene is really a commitment to improving your whole life - what’s good for a clean, healthy mouth is good for your entire body. What do you resolve to do in the new year?
