The start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to work on getting your life back together, and there’s no better way to accomplish this than by focusing on your health and well-being. One of the most important parts of caring for your body is by making sure you maintain good oral health and dental hygiene.
So, what are some important dental care tips you can incorporate into your routine this new year?
Taking good care of your teeth requires a holistic approach: incorporating dental care into your daily habits, making healthier dietary choices, and keeping up with your routine visits to the dentist.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to maintain good dental health this year, read on. We have detailed exactly what you need to do each and every day to ensure you have the healthiest teeth and the best smile you can have.
Incorporate Dental Care into Your Daily Habits
The single most important part of keeping up with your dental care is having a solid daily dental care routine. Building habits won’t happen overnight, though; they require hard work and dedication, and by making the intentional choice every day to get up and take care of your teeth. On average, it takes 66 days to build a habit, which means you’ll need to make intentional dental care part of your daily routine for roughly two months before it becomes habitual. Brushing your teeth daily (ideally twice daily), using floss, and swishing with mouthwash are all important daily tasks that will help to ensure you stay on track with your oral health.
Make Healthier Dietary Choices
Although often one of the hardest healthy choices to make, changing your dietary habits can kill two birds with one stone when it comes to keeping up with your health. Watching what you eat will not only improve your memory, energy levels, and weight, but it will also help your dental hygiene, too. This new year, cut out the sugary foods and sticky sweets and stick to fruits, vegetables, and non-acidic drinks. Every part of your body will thank you!
Keep Up with Routine Visits to the Dentist
While most people know to visit their primary care physician at least once a year, not as many people know that they should be visiting their dentist every six months for a cleaning and a checkup. If dental issues are occurring, your dentist can detect them and fix them early, preventing major pain and stopping you from having to shell out large sums of money for major dental repairs. They can also recommend even better ways to care for your teeth that are personalized for you.
An Ideal Dental Routine:
The best dental routine includes the following:
● Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle brush for at least two minutes twice a day, in the morning and right before bed. Rinse with a mouthwash after each brushing.
● Use a toothpaste that includes flouride.
● Floss between each tooth once per day.
● Rinse your mouth with water after eating (simply drinking water during/after a meal is usually enough).
● Reduce your intake of sugary sweets and acidic drinks.
● Schedule a dentist appointment every 6 months.
Related Questions
How Can I Keep My Teeth Healthy During the Holidays?
One of the easiest ways to keep your teeth healthy during the holiday season is to ensure you don’t slack on your regular oral care routine. Although it’s easy to get lost in the holiday season and forget to brush or overly consume sweets, don’t let the holidays distract you from your goal. Additionally, here are some other ways you can make sure you keep your teeth looking the best over the holidays:
● Don’t use your teeth to open packages. Although it’s true that our jaws are stronger than our hands, this shouldn’t be an excuse to use your teeth to open things. Just because your jaw is strong, that doesn’t mean your teeth are, and opening items with your teeth can lead to chips and even tooth breaks.
● Limit your intake of gum, mints, candy, and other sweet treats. Although the holidays are often an excuse to indulge, stay strong! Although it’s okay to treat yourself every once in a while, moderation is always key.
● Stick with your regular dental routine. Don’t skip out on flossing, brushing, and rinsing.
How Can I Make My Dentist Happy?
The best way to impress your dentist at your next check-up is to regularly keep up with your dental care routine. Visits to the dentist are actually generally completely painless, provided you’ve been keeping up with your oral health and you come into the appointment with clean, well-maintained teeth. Additionally, scheduling regular dental check-ups will help you develop a relationship with your dentist and ensure that they have a good understanding of your specific needs and history, and can help you feel the best that you can about your smile.
Overall Dental Tips to Follow
To conclude, when making New Year’s resolutions, health and well-being should always be at the top of your list—and dental health is an important part of that picture. The best way to keep up with your dental care this new year is to follow a dedicated daily routine: brush thoroughly twice a day and rinse with mouthwash, floss once daily, use a fluoride-based toothpaste, reduce your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, rinsing your mouth with water after eating, and making sure you stay on top of your bi-yearly dentist appointments.
Call our Walled Lake Dental Clinic to schedule a Free Consultation and get the dental care that you need and deserve. Patient care and safety is our top priority as we address the dental needs and concerns of the entire family. If you are need restorative dentistry, dental treatments or cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile, we’ve got you covered. Get a healthy mouth and beautiful smile that lasts with customized dental care with Dr Hechtman!