A solid dental health regimen is an essential part of your daily routine. Taking time to take care of your teeth and gums properly helps to reduce your risk of cavities, prevents gum disease, and keeps your smile looking its best.
If your dental care routine hasn’t been at its best, there’s no time like New Year’s to make some oral health resolutions. Here are a few 2022 dental New Year’s resolutions recommendations from Dr. Hansen of Las Vegas.
1. Wait Before You Brush
Do you brush your teeth immediately after eating? Certain foods, including acidic foods, temporarily weaken your tooth enamel. Brushing right after eating can cause damage and increase your risk of tooth decay over time. Instead, wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after eating to brush.
2. Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Fruit and vegetables contain essential vitamins and minerals like calcium and folic acid, which are great for dental health. Some raw fruits and veggies (like apples and carrots) scrub your teeth as you chew, removing plaque and bacteria buildup while stimulating saliva flow. Incorporate more of these into your diet by choosing them for snacks or adding them to your meals.
3. Get a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
At first, it might feel like a harder bristled toothbrush is the way to go for better brushing. On the contrary — you want a soft-bristled brush. They’re much less abrasive, so there’s less of a risk they’ll damage your enamel and gums (especially if you scrub too hard). You might even consider an electric toothbrush with soft-bristled heads.
Along with investing in soft-bristled toothbrushes, replace used ones every three months — or when the bristles start fraying. Brush gently to avoid harming your teeth. Finally, don’t forget to brush your tongue. Bacteria like to hide there, too.
4. Add Daily Flossing to the Mix
It’s not enough to brush your teeth. Flossing is an integral component of good dental hygiene. It removes hard-to-reach food and bacteria from between your teeth, preventing interdental cavities and gum disease. If you aren’t a fan of regular string floss, look for floss picks or even a water flosser to use instead.
5. Schedule Twice Yearly Dental Cleanings and Exams
Even with regular brushing and flossing, you could still develop dental issues. However, many problems aren’t noticeable until they’re in more advanced stages.
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, there’s no better time than now to schedule a routine cleaning and exam. Generally, a dentist will schedule your next appointment right there, which can help make things much more manageable.
6. Improve Your Smile
Have you been hiding your smile for longer than you’d like to admit? Not only do crooked teeth affect your appearance, but they also increase your risk of cavities and tooth damage.
There’s no better time than now to invest in your smile. You can opt for traditional metal braces, but they’re far from your only option. You can try lingual braces or even Invisalign to improve your smile, boost confidence, and make your dental care routine easier.
Boost and Protect Your Oral Health In 2022 and Beyond
Are you looking to make some changes in the New Year? Why not make a few dental New Year’s resolutions? With better oral health habits, you can keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright all year round.