“New year, new me!” For many people the new year is the perfect time to cut any bad habits and set some new year’s resolutions. It’s also a great time to set some resolutions for your dental hygiene and establish healthy habits to keep your teeth healthy.
Whether you’re improving your dental hygiene habits or considering cosmetic procedures, health-related resolutions are always a good idea. But remember, always make your resolutions attainable by taking small steps to achieve them. To kickstart the new year, we take a look at how you can make your teeth and gums healthy again.
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Floss everyday
Flossing daily is an effective, simple way to improve your health and is an achievable new year’s resolution to help look after your teeth. Daily flossing always helps prevent gum disease.
For successful plaque removal, brush at least twice a day using the right toothbrush for you and a fluoridated toothpaste. Floss at least once per day to remove leftover food that may have accumulated throughout the day. Daily flossing is the first step in keeping teeth healthy for life.
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Eat healthy
What you eat and how you eat it can not only affect your general health, but also your teeth and gums too. Keep your teeth and bones strong by eating calcium-rich foods such as yoghurt, cheese, and low-fat or fat-free milk. Those who do not consume animal products can get calcium from soy milk (especially fortified) or beans and lentils.
In order to maintain healthy eating habits, you should limit sugar consumption. Plaque and bacteria use sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel. In addition, it contributes to many heart diseases, including heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes.
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Quit Alcohol
January is the time where many people try out Dry January and avoid drinking alcohol for the month. As well as being beneficial to your health and wellbeing, it also benefits your oral health. Consuming alcohol not only can contribute to tooth decay, it can even speed up its progression. Cutting out alcohol for some time will not only help avoid tooth decay, but also reduces your risk of oral cancer and will ultimately keep your smile looking bright and healthy.
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Exercise
Yes, that’s right, doing regular exercise not only helps your overall health, but also improves your oral health. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can boost periodontal health, meaning that exercising regularly lowers your risk of getting periodontitis by 54%. Also, exercise helps reduce toxins in the body, as well as C-reactive protein levels. All of this is part of your body’s inflammatory response.
Exercise also makes you more likely to make healthier eating choices, which in turn improves your oral and overall health. With your new year’s resolutions, you’re one step closer to better dental health!
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Schedule a visit with the hygienist
Last but not least, schedule a visit with the hygienist if you haven’t done so already. If it has been more than 6 months since your last dental check-up, then book yourself an appointment. We have 2 dental hygienists here 5 days a week to provide you with a variety of hygiene services, all of which you can book as part of your dental care routine.
Are you ready to smash your dental new year resolutions? Contact Glandwr Dental Practice today!
