The New Year is a great time to institute resolutions for improving your dental health. Here are seven new year’s resolutions for a healthier mouth:
- Improving Tooth brushing and Flossing Habits
For successful bacterial plaque removal, it is important to brush at least twice a day using an appropriately sized, soft-bristle, manual or electric toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. It is also important to floss at least once per day to remove bacterial plaque and food that has accumulated throughout the day. If you are unsure about selecting the best brush and/or floss feel free to ask one of our dentists at your next check-up visit!
- Healthier Food and Beverage Choices
An important part of achieving your dental health resolutions is making healthier food and beverage choices. Frequent consumption of food and beverages containing carbohydrates and acids contributes to tooth decay, so it is important to brush after snacking.
- Improving Your Smile
There are several smile-improving techniques that you can use while you brush and floss. In recent years, tooth whitening has acquired enormous popularity. It enhances the appearance of teeth by removing deep (intrinsic) or surface (extrinsic) stains. The following are different types of tooth whitening methods:
Professionally applied, in-office bleaching products (ZOOM! Whitening)
Peroxide-containing bleaching agents.
Dentist-dispensed home-use products.
- Teeth Straightening
Your New Year's resolution may be to finally correct an abnormal bite caused by an injury, thumb sucking, tooth crowding or crooked teeth. There are several options for straightening your teeth. Ask one of our dentists about Invisalign, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth!
- Restorative Dentistry
The New Year may be the right time to start or complete deferred restorative dental work, such as crowns, implants or fillings. Completing these types of procedures will help you to preserve the tooth structure and to maintain proper tooth alignment, which could ultimately improve your oral health.
- Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is important for improving your oral and overall health. Consider free online tools, smoking cessation groups, progress-tracking apps and support from friends and family to assist you with tobacco cessation.
- Routine Dental Visits
A resolution to make routine visits to the dentist may help to prevent or catch decay in its very early stages. Dental visits should take place every 6 months to allow your dentist to monitor the condition of your oral cavity and develop an appropriate preventive dental treatment plan to meet your wants and needs.