You’ve probably made a lot of New Year’s resolutions in your life — but I’m willing to bet that you’ve never made a New Year’s resolution for your teeth! Here are a few goals that will improve your oral health, as well as your overall health:
1 – Eat Healthier
I’ve written about food and drink more than 20 times on this blog. Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally not harmful to your teeth whereas sugary, processed foods will probably cause you problems with your teeth if eaten frequently. A healthy, well-balanced diet will not only help your teeth and gums, it will also improve your overall health by providing your body with vital nutrients and keeping your weight in a healthy range.
2 – Floss Every Day
As people age, the main reason that they lose their teeth isn’t because of cavities, it’s due to periodontal disease. Flossing removes the plaque between your teeth that you simply can’t remove by brushing your teeth alone. One of the most common reasons that my patients tell me they don’t floss is because it’s difficult. Fortunately, there are many simple devices that can make flossing easier. Here are a few products that have 5-star reviews on Amazon:
- Crest Glide Floss Picks (you can also find them in bulk for around 10 cents each!)
- Butler GUM Eez-Thru Floss Picks
- Oral B Advantage Floss Picks with Scope
3 – Lose Weight
If you have some extra pounds to lose, you’re in good company — according to a recent poll, about 63% of American adults are either overweight or obese. Unfortunately, being overweight puts you at risk for many diseases, including type II diabetes. Type II diabetes has been shown to increase the risk of getting periodontal disease.
You can learn more about the link between diabetes and oral health at this oral health portal from the American Diabetes Association.
4 – Go to the Dentist
There are many reasons that people avoid going to the dentist. The key is to figure out the reason that you’re not going. Once you know why, it is easier to make a plan to get in for your dental checkup.
If you’re already going to the dentist every six months, then you are not only having regular cleanings and getting existing problems taken care of — your dentist will also be able to tell you if new problems are starting so you can prevent them. Many people are unaware that they have dental problems until they become painful. By that time, there if often little the dentist can do other than removing or filling the problem tooth. By going in for regular checkups, you will be able to have these problems diagnosed early and treated.
What Do You Think?
Can you think of any other new years resolutions that will benefit your teeth? If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
These are some great tips. I posted the links with HootSuite to be posted right before the end of the year.
This is such a helpful resource! Methods to cure Stomach pain can be life-changing for those of us dealing with chronic pain. I’m excited to try some of the techniques mentioned here and see how they work for me