5 (Easy) New Year’s Resolutions For A Healthier Smile
A new year means a new opportunity to improve your life and even your oral health. Not all New Year’s resolutions have to be big dramatic changes. In fact, some of the most beneficial are small steps we take to improve our day-to-day lives. We believe that all of our patients deserve to have a 2016 worth smiling about, which is why we are sharing these easy New Year’s resolutions that lead to a healthier, happier smile.
1. The Always Tried & True!
I’m sure you’ve heard your dentist say it a thousand times, “brushing your teeth for two minutes twice daily is vital to your oral health.” The truth is, that this really is the easiest way to ensure your teeth are as healthy as possible. Although, brushing for two full minutes can be hard, that’s why most people only end up brushing for 48 seconds. We have just the trick to make sure you brush your teeth for an ample amount of time. What’s the trick? Using your favorite song as a timer! It’s also a pretty fun way to make sure that your pearly whites are always gleaming.
2. Don’t forget to floss!
Only about 50% percent of Americans floss daily, despite the fact that all dentists recommend that we floss. In fact, if you don’t floss you miss cleaning up to 35% of your tooth surface. This is one of the most common reasons why people who are brushing daily still get cavities. Some people think of flossing as optional, however without flossing, your teeth won’t get fully cleaned. This can lead to other dental issues, such as periodontal (gum) disease as well.
3. Indulge in crisp and nutty snacks!
Some foods naturally help clean your teeth. These foods include a variety of a crisp fruits, such as apples and pears. They aren’t the only ones that can help clean your pearly whites. In fact, most nuts including walnuts, pecans and almonds are great for helping clean smiles as well. They have a natural talent in helping to eliminate plaque from the surface of your teeth. Not to mention their other health benefits as a part of your family’s balanced diet.
4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Some people form bad nervous habits, such as chewing on ice or pen caps! Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to your oral health. While the habit of nervous chewing isn’t necessarily bad, chewing on hard objects such as ice can break or chip teeth. This is why we suggest that our patients who have these habits, try chewing sugar-free gum instead. This is a great alternative to chewing on pen caps and other objects, while keeping your breath minty fresh. We suggest sugar-free over other gum options to avoid promoting bacteria growth.
5. Avoid using your teeth as tools!
We’ve all seen the scene in movies where the “cool guy” opens a bottle of beer with his teeth. The truth is, that’s probably the worst thing you can do in such a situation. We see patients every year who have chipped or broken their teeth by using them as tools. Teeth maybe the strongest bones in our body, but they aren’t made to be reliable tools for opening things. In fact, even opening a bag of chips with your teeth can cause serious oral issues over time. We believe that your teeth are best used for talking, chewing and, of course, smiling.
We wish all of our patients a happy New Year and are excited for the wonderful opportunities it will hold for you and your family. We have some exciting news this week to share with our patients soon, so stay tuned! For more resolutions that will improve your smile or to start your new year with a visit, feel free to contact us today!
