New Year’s Resolutions for your teeth!

4 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Your Teeth

Miguel de Cervantes expressed in this quote many years ago: “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.” Wouldn’t it be great if everyone thought of their teeth as highly valuable assets?

The good news is that the New Year is a time for people to start over. This year, consider a resolution for your teeth. If you haven’t been doing everything you can for your smile, check out these resolution ideas for your mouth that Landmark family dentistry in Santa Cruz can help with.

Start Flossing

Even if you brush your teeth like a pro, if you aren’t flossing, you’re hurting your teeth. Plaque and bacteria love those little hiding spots between your teeth because your tooth brush can’t reach them. Flossing between your teeth at least once a day removes the bacteria. Not only does this reduce the risk of decay between your teeth (which requires a filling) it also reduces your risk of gum disease. Gum disease occurs when your gums become infected with the bacteria in your mouth. If you don’t floss, you’re allowing that bacteria to build up, eventually leading to swollen, irritated, bleeding and painful gums. If you have bridges, make sure to get special floss or flossers and floss under your bridges daily too.

Reduce Sugar Intake

Sweets, candy, desserts and anything else with tons of sugar are delicious, but they wreak havoc on your entire body. Eating a lot of sugar increases your risk of cavities. If you tend to dine on sugary foods or beverages, make a resolution to reduce your intake. One good way to reduce your sugar intake is by not drinking soda anymore. Reducing your sugar intake is also a good idea because it lowers your risk of developing diabetes, and there is a correlation between diabetes and your oral health. People with diabetes can’t fight infection as well, making them more likely to develop gum disease and other infections.

Get Regular Cleanings

It’s so easy to skip going to the dentist until something starts to hurt. However, if you visit a dentist on a regular basis, you might not develop any problems at all. Preventative care is extremely important in dental health because it’s impossible to re-grow your teeth. Instead of dealing with cavities after they develop, stop them before they happen by getting regular cleanings. Your dentist uses this time to get rid of tartar and plaque, but it’s also a good opportunity for your dentist to spot any potential problems, such as a weak spot in your enamel, so that you can protect it before it causes problems.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body, but it also affects your teeth. For starters, cigarettes can turn your teeth brown. These stains can be whitened with tooth whitening procedures, but they will return again and again. Like diabetes, smoking also makes it harder to fight against infection, so your risk of gum disease drastically increases. Severe gum disease can lead to severe tooth loss and gum recession. Last, smoking and any tobacco product increases your risk of developing cancer, including lip, mouth and throat cancer. So if you smoke, stop — and see how quickly your mouth and entire body improve.

With a New Year approaching, it’s time to start thinking about something you can do for your smile. Any of these are great ideas and will make your mouth happier. For more information about what you can do for your smile this New Year, contact Landmark Dental Group, a family dentist in Santa Cruz, today.