The new year is born swaddled in the promises of millions of Americans who at least temporarily want to improve their lives. Over 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, yet only 8% actually reach any of their goals. Life and self-improvements are the second most popular resolution category after weight loss and diet goals. A recent study shows that a whopping 81% of Americans think their smiles are unattractive in pictures–an unfortunate and annoying issue in a modern tech-driven world. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can help you get the smile of your dreams and check off at least one of your major goals this year. But what are the best resolutions for a healthy smile?
Harness Your Oral Health Habits
Approximately 70% of Americans brush their teeth twice a day as recommended by their dentist and the American Dental Association, but that means 30% don’t. And 23% of Americans have missed at least two consecutive days of brushing over the past year. Even if you have stellar brushing habits that may not be enough if you’re among the 40% of Americans who forget to floss. While brushing twice a day is essential, it doesn’t remove the food particles and plaque between the teeth that encourage and promote bacteria growth. Flossing, however, does. So brush twice and floss once daily to harness better oral health habits.
Get a Grip on the Vices
Vices can range from sugar addiction to smoking, and many vices become scrutinized as the new year approaches. According to the CDC, 15% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes as recently as 2015. That equates to 36.5 Americans with a nicotine habit, almost half of which have a smoking-related disease. Sweet and processed foods, as well as alcohol, contain loads of processed sugar which also lead to disease and chronic conditions. Poor health vices can cause multiple dental issues including gum disease, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Get a grip on the vices to take back control over your life.
Opt for Produce over Processed
Diets are a dime a dozen but permanent proper nutrition can drastically change your life… and relatively quickly to boot. Processed foods found in bags, cans, and boxes on the grocers’ shelves are chock full of chemicals that the body simply can’t handle. But other more natural foods such as real dairy products, fruits, and vegetables help scrub the teeth between brushings. Hard produce, specifically encourages saliva buildup and enzyme formation which work together to wash away bacteria just waiting to eat away at your teeth and gums. So opt for produce over processed foods to see a huge difference during your next dental appointment.
Get Back in Touch with Your Dentist
If you haven’t seen your dentist in a while, chances are he misses you. So why not make an appointment today and either discuss the resolutions you’re making to ensure you create good dental health habits. He just might have some cosmetic dentistry suggestions to help speed up your goals and finally have the healthy smile you deserve.