6 Resolutions For a Healthier Smile (and Better Overall Health!)

Making New Year’s resolutions is an excellent way to set goals with a clean slate. Achieving a healthier lifestyle is often at the top of the list for many. Physical health and eating healthy are an essential part of living a better lifestyle, and making appropriate choices in those areas can have a significant impact on your oral health too. 

Healthier teeth can lead to a brighter smile and a better quality of life. Here are six easily achievable resolutions for a healthier smile and better overall health. 

Commit to Flossing Regularly 

Adding flossing to your daily routine is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself and your oral health. Flossing takes just a few minutes a day for gum health. Each time you floss, you are removing left-behind food particles and bacteria that can lead to plaque buildup and cavities. It’s recommended to floss with proper technique to reap the full benefits. Holding the floss in a “C” shape while cleaning against the sides of your teeth will help you to reach every surface of the tooth. This technique will enable you to clean below the gum line efficiently. 

Improve Your Brushing Technique

Using the correct brushing technique is critical to achieving a thorough clean. Brush your teeth for a full two minutes, twice a day. Set a resolution to brush as thoroughly as possible to make your brushing efforts more effective. 

The ideal brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of each tooth
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt your toothbrush vertically and make several up-and-down motions.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The size and shape of your toothbrush should fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily.

Drink More Water

Staying hydrated and drinking more water has a variety of healthful benefits, including keeping your teeth strong and healthy. Water contains fluoride, and this material protects your teeth from erosion. It also cleans acid and sugar off of your teeth with every sip you take. Set a goal to replace other drinks like soda, coffee, and sports drinks with water and watch your body reap the benefits from this simple swap. 

Make Healthier Food and Beverage Choices

One of the most common new years resolutions is to make better choices when it comes to eating and drinking. The foods you choose to eat and how often you eat them can quickly affect your oral health. For healthier teeth and gums, think about what you’re about to eat before you take a bite. Eating a balanced diet with limited sugar and starches can reduce your risk for tooth decay and other health issues. 

Quit Tobacco Products 

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are incredibly harmful to your health. There is no better time than the beginning of a new calendar year to quit smoking once and for all. Possible oral health impacts of smoking and all other tobacco products include:

• Stained teeth and tongue
• Bad breath
• Slow healing after dental treatments
• Dulled sensation of taste and smell
• Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

Schedule Dental Treatments You’ve Been Putting Off

The new year is an ideal time to start or complete restorative dental work that you have been putting off for one reason or another. Completing a dental crown, implant, or addressing fillings will help to preserve the structures of your teeth, maintain proper tooth alignment, and, ultimately, improve your oral health. 

Get started on achieving a healthier smile (and better overall health!) by scheduling your first cleaning of the year with Elite Dental & Denture PC.