Dental New Year’s Resolutions

With 2016 fast approaching, there’s no better time to get started on your list of resolutions. Here’s a dental checklist to help you keep on top of your oral hygiene as well as your personal goals for the New Year!

 

  1. Brush Your Teeth Everyday: No matter how tired you are or how tempting it is to just fall asleep, your teeth (and your dentist) will thank you for making the effort to clean your teeth every night before bed (and every morning after you wake up)
  2. Floss: You know when your dentist asks when the last time you flossed was and you have to pretend it was more recent than it actually was? They can tell. Plaque build up, cavities in between your teeth, and bleeding gums are all signs that you’re not flossing as often (or as well) as you should be. 2016 is the perfect time to change that.
  3. Stay on top of your appointments: In order to keep your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible, you should have a cleaning every six months (or twice a year). Don’t let yourself fall behind on your appointments!
  4. Eat Enamel Friendly Foods: In general, you should be practicing healthy eating, but did you know some healthy foods can be terrible for your teeth? Do some research and find out which foods help your whole body and which ones strip or damage your enamel (lemons, oranges, and other acidic foods should be eaten in moderation, for example).
  5. Don’t ignore your health problems (dental or otherwise): If you think you have a cavity, book an appointment to get it checked out as soon as you can. If you have pain in your chest that didn’t used to be there, don’t just hope it’ll go away – call your doctor. So many serious health problems can be avoided (or at the very least, mitigated) if they’re dealt with sooner rather than later. Your body will thank you for being proactive!
  6. Smile more. You’ve worked hard for those gorgeous teeth of yours, don’t forget to show them off! Studies have shown that forcing yourself to smile more often, even if you don’t feel like, can actually lead to a genuine increase in personal happiness. We think 2016 is the perfect year to try it out.