Around three-fourths of Americans say they make some type of New Year’s resolution every year. Not surprisingly, health and self-improvement are the top areas people look to improve. If you have made dental health one of your priorities for 2022, you picked a great goal.
Oral health can improve your overall health, because gum disease is linked with heart disease and cardiovascular conditions. Searching for “dentist near you” and working with a qualified dentist at Taunton Village Dental can help you reach the goals listed below.
To help you improve your dental health, your local dentist in Oshawa offers this top 10 list.
1. Floss Daily for Improved Dental Health
Most folks understand the importance of brushing twice a day, but it’s easy to forget to floss daily. Less than 40% of Americans floss daily. Common reasons that people do not floss include forgetting to floss and not having floss readily on hand.
Unfortunately, skipping flossing can lead to dental health issues. Flossing can prevent tooth decay between teeth. As a critical component of dental hygiene, flossing is also an important means of preventing gum disease.
2. Brush for a Full Two Minutes
Brushing is the most important dental care habit you can have. Removing plaque prevents cavities and gum disease. Brushing also keeps your teeth looking white and attractive.
Even if you brush twice a day, you may not be enjoying the full benefits of brushing if you do not brush long enough. Most Americans brush for less than one minute. That simply isn’t long enough.
You can use a timer, or you can buy an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have built-in timers that turn the brush off after two minutes.
3. Cut Down on Sugar
When it comes to maintaining oral health, germs are the enemy. Microbes feed off of sugars. When you eat sugary foods, you increase the food supply for germs that degrade enamel and inflame gum tissue.
Cutting down on sugar doesn’t mean cutting out sugar and carbs entirely. Simply reducing sugar intake can have great benefits for your oral health. Since sugar is tied to obesity and other health problems, you can improve your overall health too.
The biggest offenders are soda and candy. Switching to bottled water, tea, and low-calorie drinks are easy ways to reduce the amount of sugar that your teeth are exposed to.
4. Visit a Dentist Near You for Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening may not be something that you think of when it comes to oral care. A whiter smile, though, can help motivate you to keep your cosmetic results by brushing and flossing regularly.
Teeth whitening is also a safe and non-invasive treatment that’s highly affordable. So consider a teeth whitening treatment as a fun New Year’s resolution!
5. Reduce Consumption of Acidic Foods and Drinks
The acids that are released by microbes slowly demineralize and grade your enamel. Over time, those small amounts of acid lead to cavities. While bacteria are a common source of acid in the mouth, any food or drink can lead to dangerous levels of acid.
Some forms of acid, like lemon juice, are obvious. If it’s lip-puckeringly sour, you should only consume those foods/drinks in moderation. Soft drinks have surprisingly high levels of acid as well.
6. Find a Dentist Near You for Cleanings
Have you skipped annual check-ups and exams? Those twice-a-year visits are an important aspect of preventative dental care.
Your dentist can prevent cavities by cleaning your teeth. If a small cavity is found, it can be treated promptly and affordably.
7. Cut Down on Staining Foods
You can preserve your white smile by avoiding or cutting down on certain foods and drinks that can lead to extrinsic stains. Over time, coffee, dark teas, berries, and other foods and drinks can deeply stain your teeth. Our tip: Consider replacing coffee with green tea once in a while.
8. Improve Oral Care through Dental Visits
Few people have perfect oral health. Mild gingivitis can lead to moderate and severe periodontitis over time. If you want to improve your oral care in 2022, call your trusted dentist office and start with an exam and cleaning.
If your dentist finds cause for concern, your treatments can be scheduled accordingly. Cavity treatments and other forms of general dentistry can save you money.
9. Quit Smoking
The health dangers of tobacco use are well known. Smoking tobacco weakens the bone structures throughout your body — including in your jaw. Weak jawbones can lead to tooth loss and complications during dental implant surgery.
10. Buy an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush is a great idea for several reasons. The advanced devices can vibrate several thousand times a minute. Those rapid vibrations can generate significant cleaning power that brushing by hand cannot match.
Electric toothbrushes also have built-in timers that remind you to brush for two full minutes. Remember tip No. 2? Brushing for two minutes is critical for enjoying optimal oral health.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Local Dentist in Oshawa Today
Working with your local dentist in Oshawa can help you enjoy improved oral health in 2022. Dental health is tied to overall oral-system health, meaning that you can enjoy a healthier heart through regular visits to the dentist.
If you are ready to make dental health a priority, contact a dentist near you today. The team at Taunton Village Dental is caring and experienced. We offer weekend appointments, so you don’t have to miss work or school for dental care.
