3 New Year’s Resolutions to Better your Oral Health

The new year is upon us, which means it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. The ideal goal should be both important and achievable, and good oral health fits both of those criteria. That’s why it could be worth committing to preventing oral health problems in the new year.

Fortunately, there are quite a few ways you can do that. Here are some New Year’s resolutions that can potentially bolster your oral health.

Floss

This is probably the most important, and the most often neglected, aspect of daily dental hygiene. Throughout the day, bacteria can build up into plaque formations that coat the teeth. While brushing is pretty effective at breaking up plaque buildup, there are areas in between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach.

If you don’t floss, that plaque can become tartar, which is too tough for you to remove on your own. Both plaque and tartar can increase your chances of gum disease and tooth decay. By flossing every day, you can break up plaque deposits and prevent these oral health conditions.

Cut Back on Snacks

Many people try and start a new diet in the new year, and many of them can also have significant benefits for your teeth. Cutting back on snacking is a good example.

After you eat, your saliva will begin to break down the food in the mouth so that it can’t feed the decay-causing bacteria that live there. It also returns your mouth to a neutral pH, which can also reduce your chances of decay.

However, those things take time. If you’re snacking throughout the day, your mouth isn’t able to clean itself as effectively, which increases your risk of tooth decay. By cutting out snacks, you can lose weight and protect your teeth.

Quit Smoking

This one is maybe the most obvious, but it always bears repeating. Smoking increases your chances of a host of oral health problems, including tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth, bad breath, yellowing of the teeth and, of course, oral cancer. Cigarette smoke irritates just about every part of the mouth, so if you smoke, there are very few things that would be better for your oral health than cutting back or quitting.

There’s a lot you can do for your teeth that can make a positive difference. Keep these in mind, and by this time next year, you’ll have a smile you can be proud of.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Heil’s favorite thing about being a dentist is getting to know his patients on a personal level. The relationships he’s formed motivate him to try his best every day and to learn all that he can about his field. Dr. Heil is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and he completed his General Practice Residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

If you have any questions about taking care of your oral health in the new year, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (920) 235-0320.