The start of the year makes us reflect and think about certain habits that we would like to change and think about creating new, healthy habits that we would like to make. If you are reading this, you are most likely thinking about your overall health – including your dental health – and hoping that this will be the year where your health goals stick.
We all know that our dental health is an integral part of our overall health and wellness, and now is a perfect time to make goals for enhancing our health. Understanding how our resolutions will benefit us can be both rewarding and motivating. And remember, consistency is key with any dental goal that you make.
1. Improving flossing and brushing habits
These are simple ways to enhance your oral health, but can give you many benefits. It is important to stick to the habit of brushing and flossing and do it twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and an appropriately sized, soft bristle toothbrush. To remove food that has accumulated throughout the day and eradicate bacterial plaque, you need to make it a habit to floss at least once per day. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. The use of fluoride and antimicrobial mouth rinse will also help improve your oral health.
2. Cut back on your sugar intake
The BMC Public Health reveals that the quantity of sugar a person consumes each day is directly linked to the amount of tooth decay he has. Cut your risk for tooth decay considerably by cutting back on your sugar intake. Healthy, simple food swaps can help you achieve this goal: chewing a piece of sugar-free gum instead of that toffee, or replacing soda with sugar-free seltzer water.
3. Enhancing your smile
Tooth whitening has become very popular in recent years. This procedure can help improve the appearance of your teeth by removing surface or deep stains. You can go for over-the-counter products that you can use at home, however, tooth whitening administered by your Dallas dentist can give you quicker and more satisfying results.
This may also be a good time have restorative dental work done, like implants, crowns, or fillings. These procedures will help you maintain proper teeth alignment and preserve the tooth structure.
Finally correcting an abnormal bite may be one of the things in your list. Correcting these issues with braces or Invisalign not only improves your overall health, it also enhances the look of your smile!
4. Routine dental visits
Keep your dental appointments; doing this may help reveal an existing disease in its early stage or help prevent oral disease. Dental visits should be done every six months to allow your dentist to sufficiently monitor your oral health, and if appropriate, develop a treatment plan to meet your needs and wants.
Make your resolutions as simple as possible. Take one baby step at a time, and don’t give up! Whatever your oral health goals are, your Dallas dentist has you covered!
