As the holiday season comes to a close, Americans are considering new goals for the new year. But fewer than 10% actually reach their resolutions within the year they’re set. Whether saving money, finding love, or losing weight, the top resolutions almost always involve extreme or advanced expectations for self-improvement. And that’s a major reason for such high failure rates of annual resolutions. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case. Specific preventive dental care efforts can go a long way towards significantly improving your life during the upcoming year. But what are some of the easiest and most effective options?
Commit to Better Home Oral Health Habits
Brushing twice a day is essential for cleaning teeth and gums while minimizing plaque and bacteria build-up. But it’s not enough on its own. Flossing is also an important element of proper dental care. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 40% of Americans don’t floss daily and 32% never floss. The problem with that decision is that food sticks between teeth and provides plenty of sustenance for bacteria and decay. Even the priciest electric toothbrush can’t get between teeth to remove built-up food and plaque, but a $1.50 pack of dental floss or floss sticks can. So brush twice a day and floss once daily to keep your teeth healthy at home.
Improve Your Diet and Cut Back on Sugar
Weight loss is a major goal for many Americans, but you don’t have to lose 50 pounds to reach some significant resolutions and improve your preventive dental care in the process. The bacteria in the mouth thrive on refined sugar, so the more sweets, sodas, desserts, processed food, and even alcohol you consume, the more decay you’re at risk for developing. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional treat, dessert, soda, or a glass of wine. But increasing natural foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and increasing water intake help increase saliva and enzyme levels in the mouth which, in turn, flush away extra plaque and bacteria between brushings.
Become Victorious Over the Vices
Implementing better food and beverage choices can take care of a lot of food addictions and alcohol habits, but what about smoking? Fewer Americans light up nowadays, but it’s still a bad habit that weakens the immune system and leads to dental issues over time. In fact, those who smoke are twice as likely to develop gum disease, lose their teeth, and even develop oral cancer as a result. The best thing to do is never start smoking. But if you do smoke, quitting is the first step. Increase water intake, brush and floss daily, and make sure you visit your dentist regularly to catch and reverse any unexpected issues.
Schedule Check Ups with Your Johns Creek Dentist
Improving home habits, cutting the vices, and changing your diet go a long way towards improving your life. But dental issues can still arise and once trouble starts, it can spread quickly. Visiting your Johns Creek Dentist twice a year adds an extra protective layer to your preventive dental care and can help ensure you keep smiling throughout the year. Give us a call to get that ball rolling on a healthier new you for the New Year.
