Around this time of year, you are likely making a couple of resolutions that will improve your health in 2020. Most of us vow to eat healthier or make it to the gym more often, but what about your oral health?
Although keeping up with your teeth may seem like something you already have a handle on, taking care of your teeth goes beyond brushing twice a day. In fact, oral health issues have been linked to other serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and respiratory infections, so it’s not such a bad idea to consider making a few resolutions that will improve your smile.
5 Resolutions for Your Teeth
1. Schedule Your Dental Appointment
Oral health is all about preventative maintenance. If you visit your dentist twice a year for an exam and cleaning, you will be less likely to deal with serious dental work like cavity fillings and root canals.
2. Floss Daily
If you are an occasional flosser, it is time to step up your game!
Although it can be a bit tedious, flossing will clear away excess food particles and prevent plaque buildup.
Technically each tooth has 5 surfaces, so by choosing not to floss, you are leaving 2 surfaces uncleaned! Choosing to floss on a daily basis is a great way to keep each tooth clean in-between dental visits.
3. Whiten Your Teeth
This goal won’t have any effect on your oral health, but it can make you feel better about your smile! Whether you go for a drugstore whitening product or a professional whitening treatment, you are bound to boost your self-confidence. Of course, if you are looking for dramatic results, booking a professional treatment is the way to go!
4. Just Say No to Tobacco
Cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco can increase your odds of gum disease, which causes yellow teeth, plaque buildup and bad breath. Don’t put yourself at risk for mouth cancer or other health issues.
5. Stay Hydrated
Not only does a hydrated body keep you energized and healthy, but water helps produce saliva, a substance that rinses away left-over food particles and bacteria in our mouths after we eat. To determine how many ounces of water you should be consuming on a daily basis, just divide your body weight in half.
We wish you a happy and healthy New Year!