6 New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Your Dental Health
Taking steps to improve dental health is a critical part of your overall wellbeing.
The new year is the perfect time to design resolutions for establishing healthy habits. Whether it’s improving toothbrushing habits or completing dental treatment, wellness resolutions are always in season and the benefits of setting goals can be rewarding and motivating. Remember to make resolutions attainable by taking baby steps to achieve them.
- Avoid Gum Disease
Daily brushing and flossing will help prevent gum disease. Improving daily oral care routines is a simple way to improve your health. For successful plaque removal, brush at least twice a day using a good toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste. Position the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and move the toothbrush across the teeth. Floss at least once per day to remove unwanted goodies that may have accumulated throughout the day. Replace toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months as recommended by the Australian Dental Association.
- Eat more mouth-healthy foods
There are certain types of foods which can strengthen your teeth and improve dental health. While cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, there’s no better time to think about replacing them with more mouth-healthy foods.
Some foods to consider include:
- Carrots: full of fibre, great source of vitamin A and encourage production of saliva, which helps reduce the risk of cavities.
- Cheese: and other dairy products raise pH levels in the mouth and lowers the risk of tooth decay. Rich in calcium and protein, cheese can help strengthen the enamel.
- Fish: Rich in vitamin D, which is the active ingredient that helps your body absorb calcium effectively. Calcium helps strengthen the tooth enamel.
- Leafy greens: Super healthy and provide a natural source of vitamins and minerals, including fibre, calcium, folic acid and vitamin B.
Now before you go ahead and throw out everything from your fridge and pantry, remember — baby steps. Slowly integrate mouth-healthy foods into your diet one meal at a time.
- Quit Tobacco
Stop tobacco use. Discontinue cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco to improve overall health. Consider free online programs, progress apps, and support from groups to assist with saying no.
- Start Flossing
While they tell all their patients to floss daily, dentists know that many patients don’t follow their advice. If you’re an inconsistent flosser, add flossing to your routine this year. Fortunately, flossing takes just a few minutes-and it removes food particles and bacteria that can lead to cavities.
Dentists recommend not only moving the floss up and down between your teeth, but also against the sides of your teeth. Holding the floss in a “C” shape can help you reach every spot. You should also curve your floss around the tooth so you can floss below the gum line as well.
Remembering to floss doesn’t have to be difficult. Just set some floss next to your toothbrush and make it part of your nightly routine.
- Tongue Cleaning
A part of oral hygiene that is often ignored is the tongue. Set a New Year's resolution to clean your tongue with each brushing and help eliminate the bad breath germs often located there. Along with a toothbrush, you may purchase a tongue scraper to remove the germs and bacteria.
- Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly
Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Some people find it helpful to change toothbrushes at each change of the season. Consider getting a new toothbrush sooner if you have been sick. If the toothbrush is stored close to other toothbrushes, all toothbrushes might need replacement. If you’re not sure if your toothbrush needs replacement, take a look at the bristles. If they are frayed or worn, they won’t clean teeth as thoroughly. Finally, children often brush more rigorously than adults, consequently they may need their toothbrushes replaced more often.
For more information on your oral health, set up an appointment with us at Tower Dental in Balwyn. We can give you a full oral examination and additional tips to have excellent oral health throughout the whole year.
Our clinic is conveniently located close to Kew, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Deepdene and Camberwell. Please feel free to contact our caring dentists on 03) 9817 7144 for any of your dental needs.