The presents have all been opened, the decorations are packed away for another year, and the week-long turkey sandwich binge is over. It’s the new year. While you might be returning to the same old job or routine, you may have made some resolutions to improve certain areas of your life.
While health often tops the list with diets and exercise routines, caring for your smile might be on your agenda. For many of us, there’s always something we can improve on regarding dental health.
This year, what will you do for the health of your smile? Here are some essential dental New Year’s resolutions for the year ahead and life.
1. Improve Brushing Technique and Routine
One of the fundamental aspects of dental care is brushing. We all know we need to brush every morning and night, but it’s easy to take shortcuts, rush, and miss areas of your teeth. Tartar will build up, and you’re at risk of developing cavities.
This year, spend longer brushing and get into the habit of being more thorough.
2. Stop Skipping the Floss
You’re in the habit of brushing, but you might not floss daily. Brushing is essential for removing bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth, but the tight spaces between your teeth are hotspots for food debris and plaque. Flossing daily clears the hard-to-reach bacteria and keeps your smile fresh and healthy.
3. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is great at fighting bacteria. It also helps rinse away any food particles from your teeth. Rinsing daily is a simple way to help you maintain your healthy smile.
Choose a mouthwash with added fluoride to help strengthen your teeth.
4. Drink More Water
Drinking more water is good for many aspects of your health. Hydration is vital for essential organs, skin, and more. It’s also good for your oral health. Drinking water throughout the day helps rinse away food and plaque while stopping your mouth from becoming dry and freshening your breath.
5. Get a New Toothbrush
When was the last time you changed your toothbrush? You should change your brush every three months or sooner if it becomes excessively worn. The same applies to replacing the head on your electric toothbrush.
6. Cut Down On Foods that Leave Stains
Lots of food and drink leave marks on your smile. If you want a brighter smile, you should give more consideration to what you eat and drink. Common culprits include black coffee, red wine, dark chocolate, and blueberries. You don’t need to give them up, but cutting back or brushing after enjoying them can help reduce discolouration.
7. Stub Out Your Last Cigarette
Alongside the effect it has on the lungs and heart, smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer. It also increases the risk of gum disease, and it causes staining and bad breath. If you’re a smoker, make this the year you quit. Talk to your doctor for advice on giving up.
8. Visit Us for a Routine Checkup
All too often, we see patients once a problem occurs. Regular dental examinations help us spot problems before they cause harm. Often, by spotting an issue early, we can reverse it without needing treatment.
We recommend coming to see us for a checkup twice a year. During your appointment, we’ll examine each tooth individually, looking for changes. X-rays are also often used to get an in-depth view of your teeth and jaws.
9. Book a Hygiene Appointment
Visiting a dental hygienist will give your teeth a professional clean. Our hygienist uses advanced techniques and technology to deliver deep cleaning that even removes tartar. During your appointment, our hygienist will also advise on caring for your smile. You’ll leave the clinic with a bright and fresh smile that looks and feels cleaner than ever.
10. Talk To Us About the Treatment You’ve Always Wanted
Crooked teeth, discolouration and stains, chips and cracks…there are many cosmetic dental issues we put off treating. Why not make this year the year to fix the issues that harm your confidence?
We offer a range of convenient and minimally invasive treatments that give you the smile you’ve always wanted. These include Invisalign clear aligners for straightening your smile, at-home teeth whitening from Enlighten, veneers, composite bonding, and more.
With finance options available, we can help you find the right solution for your needs at a manageable monthly price.
Take Control Of Your Dental Health This Year
This year, put your dental health on your resolution list. Making small changes to your hygiene routine and visiting us for checkups and hygiene appointments can help you maintain the health of your smile. And, with a fantastic selection of cosmetic and restorative treatments, we can perfect your smile.
Call our team today and book your first appointment of the new year.
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