January is the perfect time to design New Year’s resolutions for your dental health and establish healthy habits to keep your teeth healthy. Whether it’s improving oral health habits or completing dental treatment, health-related decisions are always a good idea, and the benefits are definitely a good motivator for a new you. But remember! Always make your decisions achievable by taking small steps to achieve them. Below we look at how to get your teeth and gums healthy again and give you some important tips for taking care of your teeth.
1.Flose every day
Flossing daily helps prevent gum disease. Improving daily oral care routines is a simple way to improve your health and an attainable New Year’s resolution to help you take care of your teeth. For successful plaque removal, brush your teeth at least twice a day using the right toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once a day to remove any unwanted food residue that may have accumulated throughout the day. Flossing every day is the first step to keeping teeth healthy for life. Experts recommend replacing the toothbrush every 3 months.
2.Eat healthy
Want to know what to eat for strong and healthy teeth? What you eat and how you eat can affect not only your overall health, but also the health of your teeth and gums. To help you have strong teeth and bones, focus on a balanced diet with an emphasis on calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, cheese, and low-fat or skim milk. For those who don’t consume animal products, soy milk (especially fortified) or beans and lentils are also good sources of calcium. You should remember to keep sugar away as part of your healthy eating habits. Plaque and bacteria use sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel. It also contributes to many heart diseases such as heart failure, heart attacks and strokes.
3.Stop alcohol
Drinking alcohol not only contributes to tooth decay, it can even accelerate its progression. Quitting alcohol completely may not be the solution for everyone, but reducing it will certainly improve your well-being. Consider free online programs, advancement apps, and support from groups to help you say no.
4.Exercise more
Yes, staying healthy and fit not only helps your overall health, but also improves your oral health. One study showed that regular physical activity can improve periodontal health; this means that people who exercise regularly are 54% less likely to develop periodontitis compared to those who lead sedentary lives. Exercise also helps reduce toxins present in your body and also helps reduce C-reactive proteins. These are all part of the inflammatory response in your body. Additionally, when you exercise, you are more likely to make better dietary choices that improve your oral health and overall health. You’re one step closer to better dental health with these New Year’s resolutions!
5.Brush your teeth more than every day
If you want to learn how to maintain healthy teeth, you need to know how to take care of your teeth. Understanding why brushing is important is a good first step. When you brush your teeth, you basically destroy the bacteria in your mouth. If bacteria are left in your mouth, they damage the enamel, gradually weakening the gums and roots, causing tooth decay. One of the times you brush your teeth should be at night. This is important because plaque buildup mostly does not break down overnight. Brushing teeth after every meal is also approved and recommended by dentists.
6.Lots of water
Staying hydrated improves your oral hygiene, in addition to keeping you focused and fighting fatigue! When your mouth is dry, there is not enough saliva to constantly remove bacteria from your teeth. As a result, it can increase the risk of cavities and bad breath.
7.Schedule a visit to your dentist
When it comes to having healthy teeth for life, preventing problems is easier, cheaper and less traumatic than treating them. A big part of prevention is ensuring you maintain good oral hygiene practices between visits. This includes taking the right oral care products as well as paying attention to your daily habits. If it’s been more than 6 months since your last dental cleaning, you’re right.
Ready to ruin your dental New Year’s resolutions? Book your next appointment with our award-winning dentists and as part of your check-up exam, 8 steps to check for oral cancer
