The start of a new year is as great a time as any to turn over a new leaf. As your Northern Beaches Family Dentist, we want to share a few tips for achieving a healthier mouth in 2021. Oral health is directly linked to general health. So, new year’s resolutions that involve oral health benefits are worth sticking to!
Do you want to take better care of your teeth and gums this year and achieve a healthier mouth in 2021? The 5 tips we share below can help you get on track to reaching your goal!
Schedule A Dental Check-Up
If you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist, you’re not alone. A key step in achieving a healthier mouth in 2021 is scheduling a dental check-up. Even if your teeth and gums appear healthy, a dental check-up appointment is a good way to make sure.
During your check-up appointment, your dentist will conduct a thorough oral assessment. From this, they can tailor an oral health plan with you to help you achieve optimal dental health. Your oral health plan may be as simple as maintaining oral hygiene at home and 6 monthly check-up appointments. Or, it may include some periodontal or restorative dentistry treatments to help you restore your teeth and gums to good health.
To help you stay on track to achieving a healthier mouth in 2021, before you leave the dentist after your appointment, schedule your next one.
Commit To Your Oral Hygiene Routine
It’s no secret that brushing your teeth twice daily is the general recommendation. For the majority of us brushing alone is not enough to keep our teeth and gums healthy. To take appropriate care of your teeth and gums, you need to floss daily too. Still, many of us don’t fully commit to this. If you’re not already in the habit of daily flossing, the start of the new year is a great time to begin!
Committing to your oral hygiene routine is a great way to achieve a healthier mouth in 2021. Make it easy for yourself. Get into a routine that’s easy to stick to, i.e. brushing and flossing before bed and brushing again first thing in the morning.
Place your dental floss next to your toothbrush and toothpaste as not to forget this step. Use a (fluoride) toothpaste that you like the taste of. Know that your oral health is vital and appreciate the value of every minute spent working on it!
Eat and Drink Less Sugar
Direct links have been made between the amount of decay a person has and the amount of sugar they consume. Overconsumption of sugar has negative impacts on your overall health. It can also increase your risk of tooth decay significantly.
Whether you eat your sugar through biscuits, lollies and cakes, or drink it through fruit juices and soft drinks, it can lead to cavities. Sugar is converted to acid by the bacteria that live in your mouth. This acid eats away at the enamel on your teeth. Eventually, this is what leads to decay.
A good way to cut down on sugar is by reducing the number of sugary foods and beverages you buy. If they’re not your fridge or pantry, you’re far less likely to consume them. Another helpful tip when it comes to consuming less sugar is to pick less sugary alternatives.
Cutting out sugar altogether is unrealistic for most. Luckily though, reducing your intake and focusing on making healthier choices can still help you achieve a healthier mouth.
Quit Smoking
According to the Department of Health QLD, smoking puts you at roughly three times the risk of developing gum disease. This is due to your immune system’s reduced ability to fend off the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease.
Smokers also have more chance of experiencing tooth decay, bad breath and oral cancer. Smoking can affect your saliva quality and therefore the way you taste food as well as increase your risk of tooth decay. Smoking can also lead to several other serious general health issues.
If you are a smoker who would like to achieve a healthier mouth in 2021, one of the best things you can do is quit smoking. At our Northern Beaches dental practice, we have seen patients enhance their oral health by kicking the habit.
Giving up any habit is difficult, especially smoking. However, there are many resources, tools and techniques to make it easier for you. It can help to pick a date to kick the habit and engage your friends, family and your regular doctor to support you on your journey.
Drink More Water
Drinking water has many health benefits, including many oral health benefits. If you want to achieve a healthier mouth in 2021, simply introducing more water can help you get on track. Drinking water helps you maintain fresher breath and prevents your teeth from becoming stained by foods and drinks you consume.
The most noteworthy benefit of drinking water, though, is that it helps flush acids and sugars away.
As you know, sugary and acidic foods can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Left to linger in your mouth, the sugar turns into acid that erodes the enamel on your teeth, resulting in decay. Consuming water regularly throughout the day will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. There are many other health benefits of drinking water that you can enjoy too!
Wrapping Up
At our family dental practice in Mona Vale, we aim to help our patients achieve and maintain their best possible oral health. We do this by providing high-quality, gentle dental care in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
The 5 tips in this article are a great way to get started on achieving a healthier mouth in 2021. Our team of friendly dental professionals are here to support you.
Please feel free to contact us to schedule a check-up appointment and get your and your family’s oral health off to a good start this year.
