New Year Resolutions For Your Teeth: Dentist Recommendations

03 / 01 / 2019

New Year Resolutions For Your Teeth: Dentist Recommendations

The turkey has been picked clean, the Quality Street tub is empty and the Christmas tree has been packed away. That can only mean one thing: the festive season is over and January has begun. Lots of people dread the post-Christmas period, but there’s plenty to enjoy about the start of a new year. A fresh beginning means a chance to make important lifestyle changes. Don’t miss this ideal opportunity to evaluate what’s working for you and your family – and what needs to change.

Above all, don’t neglect your teeth when it comes to writing your New Year resolutions. Most of us resolve to lose weight, get fit, or learn a new skill during the first month of the year. But your dental health is a key part of your overall wellness. So make sure taking good care of your teeth and mouth is top of your to-do list this New Year.

Smile Like A Celebrity

Celebrities tend to have fabulous teeth – it’s a universally acknowledged fact. But it takes a little effort to achieve a celeb-worthy smile. If one of your New Year resolutions involves teeth that are white, bright and even, start with proper brushing. Great oral health and hygiene begins with clean teeth and gums.

How To Perfect Your Technique

It’s important to brush at least twice a day, in order to remove bacterial plaque successfully. How you brush and regularity are just as important. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line. You need to gently move your brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Make sure you brush the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Remember, thorough teeth cleaning takes time. Make 2019 the year you commit to brushing for the recommended two minutes, morning and night. Why not head to the sales and treat yourself to a new toothbrush with a built-in timer? It’s an easy way to remove the guesswork element from keeping your teeth clean. However, don’t get too attached to your new toothbrush (or head)! It will need regular replacing in order to function effectively. Buy a new one at least every three to four months – more frequently if you notice the bristles are frayed. It’s also a good idea to replace your brush after a bout of cold or flu.

Don’t Fear The Floss

Daily flossing should be another one of your New Year resolutions. Men – that means you, too! According to a recent YouGov survey, men are less likely to floss than women. Only 25% of men questioned said they flossed on a typical day! That’s despite NHS advice that flossing should form part of a daily oral health care routine from the age of 12.

Does the thought of flossing intimidate you? Do you worry it could be difficult, painful and time-consuming? That’s really not the case. If you’re not sure how to do it, ask your dentist. We’ll be pleased to offer guidance and advice. And don’t use a busy schedule as an excuse not to participate. Effective flossing can be completed in just two minutes. That means it’s a fast, easy way to reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Your breath will be fresher too.

Watch What You Eat (And Drink)

We know that for some January can be synonymous with self-deprivation. Why not try to change your mind-set where food and drink is concerned? Don’t pine for unhealthy choices that are full of fat, acid and sugar. Instead, treat yourself to wholesome foods that deliver benefits to your entire body. Drinking plenty of water can be another one of your New Year resolutions. Introduce tasty raw or crunchy vegetables to your diet. If you must snack, choose a few celery sticks or some fruit. Your heart and your waistline will thank you for it, in addition to your teeth.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is bad for your health – and your teeth. Stopping will help you to live longer and feel better. More specifically, giving up tobacco will help to prevent teeth staining, and give you fresher breath. Non-smokers are also less likely to get gum disease and prematurely lose their teeth. Giving up also means you’re protecting your loved ones from the damaging effects of second-hand smoke. Nicotine is a hard habit to break, but there is plenty of help available, from shops, pharmacies and on prescription.

Dentistry Treatment: Take The Plunge

If you know, or even just suspect, that you may require some dental work, don’t procrastinate any longer. Once it exists, the need for a crown, implant or filling is not going to go away. Putting it off is only likely to make the problem worse. Act now and you stand a much better chance of preserving your original tooth structure.

If you’ve been delaying treatment because you’re nervous, help is at hand. Lighthouse Dental Practice offers a successful dental anxiety service to help patients overcome their fears. It’s a common problem, we but tailor our solution to individual patients.

Even if you don’t think you need any complex treatment, regular check-ups are important. Add making a maintenance dental appointment to your list of New Year resolutions. It’s the best way to ensure any potential problems are nipped in the bud before they can escalate. And your dentist is the best person to offer tailored advice and recommendation about your oral health.

For enquiries, or to make an appointment, simply call us on 01473 257379.

For more information on how to take care of your teeth in 2019, follow us on Twitter @LighthouseDent2.

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If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.