Happy New Year! Here Are a Few Resolutions for a Healthier Smile

We’ve completed another lap around the sun and have a whole new year to look forward to. To celebrate the occasion, many people make resolutions to build better habits and kick old nasty ones. While quitting smoking, finishing that degree, reading more books, and spending more time with the family are all wonderful New Year’s resolutions, it’s not a terrible idea to use the opportunity to improve your oral hygiene practices. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions that will help you have a shiny, pretty, healthy smile.

Resolve to Get on Board with Proper Oral Hygiene

While it’s fair to assume that any adult knows they should be brushing their teeth twice a day, it takes more than that to keep your teeth healthy for life. Taking excellent care of your teeth allows you to have a shiny smile, fresh breath, and brief, comfortable dental appointments. An excellent dental hygiene regimen includes:

• Brushing: Brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, once before breakfast and once before bed. Take care to use gentle, short, circular strokes and to wait at least thirty minutes after eating.
• Flossing: Flossing is a crucial part of a proper oral hygiene regimen because it can eliminate plaque and food debris from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach.
• Antibacterial mouthwash: These concoctions are beloved by dentists everywhere because they kill more than 99.9% of harmful bacteria on contact. Look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval on the bottle.

Resolve to Quit Procrastinating About Your Dentist’s Appointments

The ADA recommends that you have at least two dental exams every year. This allows your dentist to examine your teeth for any issues, address problems in their early stages, and advise you on better oral hygiene practices. Unfortunately, many people put off scheduling their next appointment because they have dental anxiety or just keep forgetting to do it. Resolving to schedule your next dental appointment in the early months can get your dental health off to a great start for the new year.

Resolve to Cut Back on Your Sugar Consumption

Sugar is the nemesis of dentists everywhere. People love this white crystalline stuff because it is sweet and full of easily absorbed chemical energy, but the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease love it for the same reason. Consuming sugary foods or beverages can leave your teeth coated in a sticky residue that feeds these germs so they can produce acid that begins weakening your enamel on contact. Resolving to cut back on candy, soda, and starchy snacks can help you keep your populations of harmful oral bacteria low.

The New Year is a time for new beginnings. Start it off the right way by resolving to improve your oral health.

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco and received his GPR Certificate at the VA Palo Alto. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. His office in Huntington Beach, CA offers regenerative dentistry, periodontal therapy, and cosmetic periodontics. For more information on keeping your teeth and gums healthy, contact his office online or dial (714) 587-9094.