New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Smile

healthy smile

If you’re like most Americans, you likely can’t count the number of times you’ve vowed to lose weight, increase your income, find love, or otherwise improve your life. And yet fewer and fewer people opt to make resolutions each year. While countless Americans are expected to make resolutions in 2019, fewer than 10% are expected to reach their goals. Of course, just like asking Santa for a pony or the glitziest bauble at Tiffany’s is a waste of a wish for most, many New Year’s resolutions tend to be extreme or complicated ventures that will never actually materialize. Fortunately, dreams of healthy smiles can be achievable resolutions for all with the right outlook and effort. But what are some simple but effective resolutions you can make and achieve to have a healthier smile in the new year?

Brush, Floss, and Rinse

Everyone knows the importance of brushing their teeth, but brushing alone just isn’t enough. Flossing is also important and yet, only 30% of Americans floss daily. Brushing removes stains, debris, and plaque from enamel and gums, but it doesn’t get in between teeth. The only way to do that safely at home is with dental floss. So brush twice and floss once daily. And when you’re done, rinse with a sugar-free, alcohol-free mouthwash or rinse to ensure the mouth is clean and help keep bacteria at bay.

Reduce the Sugar and Improve the Diet

Poor nutrition can weaken the immune system and lead to all sorts of oral health issues including gum disease. This is especially the case when it comes to heavy snacking and processed sugar addictions. Adjusting your diet to include plenty of natural fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce bacteria-causing decay in the mouth while promoting extra saliva and enzymes needed for healthy smiles. You can still have an occasional treat, but focusing on more healthy food options helps achieve healthy smiles and bodies.

Toss the Tobacco

Smoking has declined over 20% since 2005, but almost 38 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. And 16 million of those smokers live with some type of smoking-related disease or condition. Smokers have twice the risk of developing gum disease, and since that progresses so quickly, many long-term smokers end up with advanced stages of the condition and loose or missing teeth before they finally decide to quit. The best thing to do is not start smoking at all. But if you do smoke, decide to quit once and for all. It really can be a matter of life or death.

Visit Your Moorestown Dentist

You could change all the above issues and dental concerns can still arise. The good news is that a single visit to your Moorestown dentist can diagnose the issues, begin necessary treatment to correct or reverse the problems, clean your mouth while you’re there, and even sign off on a good bill of health for the upcoming year. Give us a call when you’re ready to regain control of your health and ring in the New Year with a healthier smile.