With the coming of a new year comes clean slate full of opportunities. Because of this, many people are inspired to make new year’s resolutions that they hope to implement in the new year. This year as you are thinking about what you’d like to achieve, why not consider your oral health?
Many people resolve to lose weight and eat healthy, which are two ways to improve their physical health. While these are two of the most popular resolutions, most people don’t take into account the way their oral health affects their overall health. Although diet and exercise are certainly beneficial, improving or maintaining your oral health is also highly important.
With that being said, here are the top New Year’s resolutions for your oral health:
Resolve to visit your local dental office every six months
In order to maintain your oral health, the American Dental Association recommends visiting your local dental office at least once every six months for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning. These semi-annual dental checkups allow your dentist to evaluate your teeth, gums, and jaw for any signs of possible dental issues. Dental issues corrected early generally require less invasive treatments that are much cheaper.
Additionally, having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months removes excess plaque and tartar. Both plaque and tartar can house thousands of bacteria responsible for common dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Having your teeth cleaned regularly reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth and decreases the risk of developing serious dental issues.
Resolve to brush twice a day and floss once a day, every day
This is one of those resolutions that sounds simple at first, however many people don’t adhere to this recommended oral hygiene practice. A study completed from 2009-2012 by Duong T. Nguyen, a medical epidemiologist, found that only 30% of Americans floss their teeth daily, while 37% floss less than daily and 32% does not floss at all.
Additionally, there has also been some debate as to how many people actually brush their teeth twice a day. Various studies have provided data that shows some people do brush twice a day, while others only once a day, and even others who do not brush daily altogether. Since both brushing and flossing are important to your oral health, resolving to adhere to a daily routine of brushing twice and flossing once will help you to preserve your oral health.
Resolve to update your dental supplies
Not only is a daily dental routine important for your oral health, but the supplies you use for this routine are also important. Just as certain activities require certain tools for a successful outcome, your oral health also requires certain tools. For starters, all of your dental products should be approved by the American Dental Association. To determine this, check for their seal.
Here are a few guidelines on how to select your dental supplies for the new year. Your toothbrush should be long enough to reach the back of your mouth and should have soft bristles. It should also be changed out every three months or after you have been sick to prevent spreading excess bacteria. Your toothpaste should be fluoridated because fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel. Finally, there are different types of floss to choose from, so you will want to find the type that works best for your dental needs.
These three resolutions are the top New Year’s resolutions for your oral health. Resolving to visit your local dentist every six months, brush twice and floss once daily, and select the right dental supplies will help you to preserve your oral health and a beautiful smile all through the new year and the new decade.
