It’s the new year and you know what that means—time to start following through with those resolutions. But whether you’ve resolved to cook more meals at home, exercise, or eat less sugar, New Year’s resolutions can be hard to keep. If you’re hoping to improve your dental hygiene in 2022, you may be wondering where to start. After all, dental health is about much more than just brushing your teeth!
Here are our top six tips for starting the new year with a fresh, bright, and healthy smile.
#1 Brush Regularly and Change Brushes
Most folks already have a daily brushing routine. If you brush your teeth once a day, try adopting a twice-a-day rhythm. Morning and evening are usually the best times to give your teeth a thorough cleaning. Remember, when it comes to brushing, harder isn’t better. Brush your teeth gently, focusing on using small circles around the teeth and gumline to remove excess plaque.
It’s also important to change your brush regularly. Toothbrushes are the frontline defense when it comes to oral bacteria. Unfortunately, this also means that they quickly get worn out, frayed, and downright gross. Try to swap out your toothbrush at least once every three months to keep your mouth comfortable and clean.
#2 Floss Every Day
We know that flossing can be a pain in the you-know-what, but flossing is actually just as important as brushing! While brushing helps rid your mouth of surface bacteria, plaque, and improves breath, flossing cleans the hard-to-reach areas in between teeth.
If you’re hoping to prevent cavities by upgrading your oral care routine, there’s no better place to start than with flossing. Try to floss at least once a day for best results.
Alternatively, try a water flosser! For those who struggle with trying to reach hard-to-reach areas, water flossing provides a pain-free, simple way of cleaning your teeth. Alternatively, a pick can help you reach places where flossing may be too difficult in the back of your mouth. Whatever works for you, try it out!
#3 Use Fluoride
Try to use a fluoride-based toothpaste to help prevent cavities and deterioration. Although fluoride is added to most municipal water supplies due to its dental benefits, giving your teeth some extra attention with a fluoride-based toothpaste helps stop cavities in their tracks, minimizes stains, and improves enamel. Look for toothpaste options that have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval.
#4 Limit Carbonated and Sugary Drinks
Those 0-Cal sparkling waters and alcoholic seltzers may not be as innocent as you think. While its fairly common knowledge that sugary sodas are terrible for your teeth, you may not know that the carbonation in low-sugar beverages can be just as harmful. Carbonation eats away at enamel and over time may lead to tooth decay and damage.
While it’s perfectly alright to indulge on occasion, don’t make fizzy drinks your “go to” beverage of choice. The next time you find yourself reaching for a can of seltzer, stick to still water instead.
#6 Make Your Annual Dental Appointment
Being proactive about your dental health is our #1 piece of advice when it comes to having a healthier 2022. It’s easy to let routine cleanings fall by the wayside when your teeth feel perfectly normal.
However, going to the dentist regularly not only deep-cleans your teeth, it helps you locate burgeoning cavities, cracks, and other dental issues before they get out of hand. Scheduling your annual dental appointment is a fantastic way to stay on top of dental health in the new year.
Take the First Step with Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry
Here at Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry, our top priority is making sure each and every patient has a comfortable, professional, and helpful experience. Our team is dedicated to serving all our patients with the highest possible standard of care. We want your trip to the dentist to be as relaxing as possible, and pride ourselves in maintaining a stress-free environment. Our friendly staff, comfortable facilities, and knowledgeable caregivers will give you all the support you need to get the most from your annual visit.
Contact us today to set up your first appointment.