New Year, meet the new you! With any new year comes new year resolutions so this year, why not focus on your oral health? That may involve small adjustments or big differences to your current lifestyle. Just remember: it takes at least three weeks to build a habit and break a habit, so persistence and small, attainable goals are key to achieving any resolution. And your dentist is always here to help you too.
Baby Steps
1. Start the New Year Right
Take the time at the start of this year to book your biannual dental appointments. You should be seeing your dentist once every six months for a professional clean of your teeth while they check if you need any other dental work done.
2. Brush Up on the Basics
Take care of your teeth and gums by staying vigilant with your daily dental routine. Brushing twice a day and flossing at the end of the day will help fight off gum disease and tooth decay. Also remember to change your toothbrush every three months. For more tips on taking care of your teeth, you can check out our last blog on how to take care of your gums.
3. You are What You Eat
There are several benefits to improving your diet and moving away from sweets and soft drinks. For one thing, sugary foods and drinks promote sugars and acids which feed the bacteria in your mouth, damaging your teeth enamel and creating cavities. And did you know that certain foods and beverages actually stain or whiten your teeth? So what you ingest not only affects your overall health but it also has a massive impact on your mouth and your smile.
The Big Guns
4. Time to Quit the Cig
Tobacco use is incredibly detrimental to your general and oral health. It leads to gum disease, teeth discolouration, bad breath, and oral cancer. But quitting is a lot easier said than done so please speak with your dentist and general practitioner who will support you in your implementation of quitting today.
5. Bright Whites
If you’d like to whiten your smile, your dentist can provide various options to fight any teeth discolouration such as professional cleans, bleaching kits, and veneers.
6. Time to Finish What You Started
If your dentist recommended treatment last year, like fillings or root canal treatment, the start of this year is a great time to complete that treatment and get it out of the way!
