If someone asks about our goals for the new year, most of us would say that we want to be healthier. Maybe we want to lose weight, eat better, or start exercising regularly. But perhaps instead of the same old same old, you might consider giving your oral health some extra attention in the new year. After all, your smile is an important component of your physical wellness.
Yellow teeth and bad breath are no fun, but they’re not the only problems you’ll run into if you neglect your oral health. Poor oral hygiene is linked to diabetes, respiratory infections, heart disease, and even dementia.
So without further ado, here are our top 5 new years oral-health resolutions to make for your health.
5 Resolutions for Your Teeth
- Make Your Dental Appointments – Making it to your bi-yearly checkups is one of the most important things you can do for your oral health! Getting a professional cleaning and having a dentist inspect your teeth can catch problems early so you can address them before they get worse.
Floss Daily – Maybe this is the year you establish a flossing routine and stick to it! Flossing does seem like a pain—but trust us. Once you start flossing, it’s really hard to stop. It’s an easy way to get leftover food particles, and the corresponding plaque, out from between your teeth and under your gumline.- Drink Plenty of Water – Hydrated people produce more saliva, so they’re teeth get rinsed more often. That results in less decay, plus fresher breath, and a more comfortable feeling in your mouth. If you’re not sure exactly how much water you should be drinking, take the number of pounds you weigh and divide it by 2. Aim to drink at least that many ounces of water each day.
- Give up Tobacco – We know it isn’t news to you that tobacco products are bad for you. But here’s another reason why: they harm your oral health. Nicotine and tar exposure increases your risk for gum disease and causes plaque buildup. Not to mention, it yellows your teeth and gives you bad breath.
- Whiten Your Teeth – Maybe it doesn’t affect your health at all, but whitening your teeth can certainly give you a boost. If you do decide to take the plunge, we’d recommend getting the treatment at the dentist, instead of using whitening products from the drugstore.
Floss Daily – Maybe this is the year you establish a flossing routine and stick to it! Flossing does seem like a pain—but trust us. Once you start flossing, it’s really hard to stop. It’s an easy way to get leftover food particles, and the corresponding plaque, out from between your teeth and under your gumline.