Your dental health has a frequently-overlooked impact on your overall health and well-being — and yes, that includes your social life. Are you determined to make meaningful New Year’s resolutions that stick? A happy, healthy smile should be on your list of New Year’s resolutions!
New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Smile
What can you do to improve your dental health and oral hygiene habits this year and beyond? Keep reading to find out. Don’t stop there, though! A commitment to your oral health and dental hygiene should last a lifetime. Now is the perfect time to pay more attention to your smile.
1. Visit Your Dentist for Routine Checkups Twice a Year
Let’s start with the basics. We all know we should schedule regular visits with a dentist twice a year, but too many of us simply forget.
Seeing your dentist twice a year ensures that problems are caught before they get out of control. That’s good news because it means less pain, money, and time at the dentist. If you take excellent care of your teeth and oral health, these checkups may seem pointless. Remember that dentists can spot early problems before you notice them, though.
2. Floss Every Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes, may make your teeth feel clean — but it can’t reach all areas. Flossing remains the best way to eliminate the debris and plaque your toothbrush can’t reach.
Flossing daily helps prevent cavities and gum disease and ensures that your breath is fresh. People with periodontal disease may wish to opt for a water flosser instead of regular dental floss.
3. Switch to an Electric Toothbrush
Are you still using a manual toothbrush? Treat yourself and buy or ask for a high-end electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush will take your oral care routine to the next level in the new year.
The best electric toothbrushes, sonic toothbrushes, or oscillating electric toothbrushes, deliver thousands of strokes per minute. Compare that to the 300 strokes you can achieve with a manual toothbrush, and it’s clear why electric toothbrushes do a better job. Not to mention, electric toothbrushes are also safer for your gums and delicate oral tissues and are easy to use.
Helpful Information: How to Choose the Right Toothpaste
4. Quit Smoking
If you’re a smoker, there’s a chance that quitting has already made it onto your New Year’s Resolutions shortlist. Don’t feel like parting with your nicotine habit just yet? Knowing that smoking accelerates the rate of plaque buildup and places you at risk of severe gum disease may change your mind. Vaping and the use of other tobacco products are no better either.
5. Drink in Moderation
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause periodontal pockets in people who already live with gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss over time. Make sure you enjoy alcoholic beverages in moderation to look after your smile!
6. Evaluate Your Diet
Sugary drinks and candy aren’t the only threats to your beautiful smile. Most processed foods are packed with sugar and carbohydrates, making them bad for your overall health as well as your teeth. Do you chew gum regularly? If so, opt to chew sugar-free gum with xylitol instead of other types that are high in sugar.
If you want to make your smile a top priority in the new year, taking an honest look at your diet has to be on your list of New Year’s Resolutions.
7. Get Your Dental Needs Taken Care Of
Did your dentist tell you that old amalgam filling has to come out at some point? Do you have a crown that needs replacing? Do you need a flap operation for periodontitis? Are you overdue for a dental cleaning?
You may not have been ready to commit to the recommended procedures when you went for your last dental checkup. You’re busy, after all, and dental work requires a significant financial commitment as well.
Stop putting that dental work off in the new year. Get it taken care of so that any dental issues you have don’t snowball in the future.
Make Your Oral Health A Priority in the New Year
Taking good care of your oral health and your smile requires a combination of everyday activities like regular brushing and flossing, plus periodic commitments such as attending dental checkups. Look after your teeth and oral health, and you’ll have a healthy smile into old age.
Taking steps to improve your oral health may be an unusual New Year’s Resolution, but it’s one you’ll never regret — especially if you manage to keep it up!
Cosmetic Dentistry
There are many reasons why people pursue cosmetic dentistry. A smile makeover is just one reason people choose cosmetic procedures. Be assured you’ve come to the right place if cosmetic enhancements to your smile are what you’re looking for.
Our experienced Omaha cosmetic dentist, Dr. Pruitt, and staff have extensive knowledge and training on diagnosis, treatment planning, and material selection to give you the smile you’ve always wanted! From dental veneers, dental implants, and dental crowns to teeth whitening, and teeth cleaning, All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE has your cosmetic dentistry needs covered.
As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) undergoing the accreditation process, Dr. Pruitt has put extensive time and energy into achieving optimal esthetic dental care outcomes for her patients. She and the experienced staff are extremely thorough and have collaborated with the world’s most talented laboratory technicians (we call them artists!) to provide a result that is not just going to look fabulous but lasts a long time.
All Smiles Family Dentistry in Omaha, NE
At All Smiles Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide high-quality care to all our patients both young and old thanks to our compassionate and experienced dental team. We offer a clean and comfortable clinic to help you feel relaxed during your visit. Contact All Smiles Family Dentist.