Healthier teeth and better oral hygiene should be at the top of the list of your New Year’s resolutions. Improving oral health has real and lasting benefits. The health of your teeth affects your overall health and appearance. Poor oral health can lead to cavities, loss of teeth, eating disorders, and even heart disease!
10 Oral Health Resolutions for the New Year
If you are resolving to get your oral health in order, here are 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Teeth that will help you have a healthier smile in the year to come.
1. Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking is a top resolution every new year because smoking damages health in so many ways, plus it costs a lot of money. Stopping smoking is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve oral health. Immediately, your breath will smell better, your taste will improve and your risk of oral cancers will go down.
2. Avoid Highly Acidic Foods and Drinks
The acid in food and drinks, including otherwise healthy food and drink choices, eats away at the protective enamel on your teeth. Soda, fruit juices (like orange and grape), tomatoes, and alcohol tend to be some of the worst culprits. Coffee drinkers should also take caution!
3. Switch to an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes really do a better job getting your teeth and gums clean than a manual one does. It may seem a little weird at first if you have never used one, but as a New Year’s resolution for your teeth, your oral health will surely reap the benefits.
4. In the New Year, Take Care of Your Tongue
With all of the focus on your teeth and gums, don’t forget about your tongue. You absolutely should be brushing your tongue when you brush your teeth. Even better, try using a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper will properly clean your tongue and eliminate bacteria.
5. Drink Lots of Water
You may know how important it is for the rest of your body to stay hydrated, but did you know it matters to your oral health as well? A dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to all kinds of problems. Stay hydrated for a healthy mouth in the new year.
6. Get Your Teeth Whitened in the New Year
You will have a whiter and prettier smile if you have your teeth whitened. Enjoying your own smile and being proud of it can be a great motivator and the perfect New Year’s resolution for keeping up with oral health and remembering to brush and floss daily.
7. Don’t Skip Out on Flossing
It may not seem like a big deal but flossing every day makes a big difference. Flossing helps to fish out all of the tiny particles that can lead to bacteria and cavities. Floss your teeth at least once each day for another easy New Year’s resolutions for your teeth.
8. Drink Less Sugary Drinks
We often think about how much sugar is in what we eat, and we’re not just talking Halloween. However, many people don’t think as much about the sugar they drink. Sugary drinks can leave sugar laying on the teeth and gums for hours unchecked, especially between meals. If you have a choice when on the go in the new year, drink water.
9. Cut Down on Hard or Sticky Foods in the New Year
Foods that are especially hard or sticky can be a nuisance for teeth. These types of foods linger longer and can directly break or damage teeth. For the new year, opt for foods that are easy to chew and won’t make the job of your teeth any harder.
10. Visit Your Local Dentist Regularly
You should see your local dentist regularly for a check-up to make sure your mouth is healthy. It is also very important that should you have any dental pain or problems that you see your dentist right away. Letting a dental problem linger only gives it time to get worse which could lead to gum disease or even worse, a root canal, or dental implants.
Local Dentist in Oxnard, CA
Do you need a dental check-up to start the year right? If so, call Bella Dental and schedule your dental exam today so you can start the year off with the perfect New Year’s Resolutions for your teeth.