Whether it’s healthy New Year’s resolutions to exercise more and lose weight, or to get organized, save or spend less money, learn a new skill, or something else, setting these goals is the first important step to meeting them. Now, while you’re thinking of resolutions, it’s the perfect time to consider adding something new to your list: dental New Year’s resolutions. Here’s what they are and why!
7 Top Dental New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Want To Keep
Oral health and overall health go hand in hand to keep our bodies functioning. When you improve your oral health, you also improve your general health by removing opportunities for infection or other complications. But good oral health also affects our comfort and overall confidence. When you consider that 70% of adults believe that a smile can make or break a first impression, keeping your smile healthy is critical to success across all aspects of life, from work to relationships. These dental New Year’s resolutions can help:
- Brush up on brushing. Brush your teeth for two full minutes twice a day. This is the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy, as it removes plaque and food particles.
- Floss daily. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from areas between your teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach.
- Eat healthy foods. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, which can contribute to cavities and tooth decay. Eat plenty of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are good for your overall health and your teeth. Calcium-rich dairy products can provide minerals to teeth and help protect tooth enamel. Drinking green or black tea can help eliminate plaque and dry mouth.
- Eliminate dry mouth. When our mouths are dry, we lack saliva. Saliva washes away food particles, limiting decay. Fortunately, it’s easy to combat dry mouth by:
- Sipping water or sugarless drinks often.
- Avoiding caffeinated beverages.
- Chewing sugarless gum.
- Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco.
A dry mouth can also be a sign of disease or a side effect from medication, so if you’re experiencing ongoing dry mouth, you should talk to your doctor or dentist to determine if the cause needs specific treatment.
Quit smoking. Smoking and chewing tobacco isn’t just bad for your overall health and your teeth—it can cause gum disease, tooth staining, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Talk to your doctor or dentist for advice on quitting.- Rinse with mouthwash. Using mouthwash can be beneficial in reducing or controlling plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, and tooth decay.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. During these visits, your dentist will examine you for any potential cavities or gum disease and perform cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup. With regular checkups, it’s easier to catch problems early and treat them before they become serious.
Wishing You a Happy Dental New Year From PDM at PHMC on Cedar
If you’re making healthy New Year’s resolutions part of your goals this year, make sure to include these seven dental New Year’s resolutions. You’ll smile, knowing that you’ve made a difference to your oral and overall health.
Your first step is to visit Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar for an exam and evaluation. Your care is provided by predoctoral students and dental residents from The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine under the supervision of licensed, experienced faculty dentists to ensure the highest-quality care.
Your PDM at PHMC on Cedar dentist will go over your brushing and flossing to make sure you’re getting the most out of these activities. It’s also a great time to get all of your questions answered. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 855-887-9229 or complete this form today so that we can get you set for the new year.
By the way, the best part of these dental New Year’s resolutions is that you can start them anytime and resume them anytime. So you don’t need to worry about breaking your resolutions. Make these dental resolutions part of your usual routine—and smile knowing you’re doing your part for good oral and overall health.
