New year, new you. That’s right, isn’t it?
At this time of year, most of us are creating resolutions we can stick to. We don’t need unrealistic goals like creating a body like Elle McPherson.
We need achievable goals. Like eating healthier meals and taking better care of ourselves.
If you’re looking to create healthy habits in 2018, here’s a couple of quick things you might want to add to your list. They’re not time-consuming, and they’ll help keep your mouth in top health in the coming year.
Brush Better, Not Harder
When it comes to brushing your teeth, it’s not how hard you brush that determines how effective you are, but rather your technique. Brushing too hard can wear off the enamel that protects your teeth and can damage sensitive gum tissue.
Instead of brushing hard, focus instead on using a gentle circular motion. This will help the bristles get into the crevices between your teeth without damaging them.
And if you can’t remember when you last replaced your toothbrush, or your bristles are looking a little shabby, it might be time to get a new brush.
Commit to Flossing
OK, we know this is one of the hardest aspects of dental care to do consistently. At the end of the day when you’re tired, it’s easy to think you can skip it.
But flossing is one of the most crucial tasks for keeping your mouth as healthy as possible. This is because there are certain areas of your mouth that brushing alone simply cannot reach.
To make flossing easier, try using a flossing stick instead of traditional dental floss. Start with the teeth at the back of your mouth and work your way forward.
If you need a little extra motivation, remember that flossing helps reduce morning breath because it reduces bacteria. And if you want extra brownie points, you should use mouthwash too (no, you can’t use mouthwash instead flossing).
Clean Your Tongue
It is not just your teeth that need cleaning, but your tongue as well. Use your toothbrush to gently clean off any build-up, or use a tongue scraper specifically designed for that purpose.
Keeping your tongue clean will help your mouth feel fresher, your breath is likely to smell more pleasant, and food can even taste better. You’ll be amazed by the difference you’ll feel in your mouth the first time you do this.
Get a Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is essential to healthy teeth, so make the commitment to yourself to schedule an appointment with your dental hygienist for a fluoride treatment. This will help to strengthen your teeth, making them more resistant to bacteria and decay over time.
Dental hygiene is a vital step towards proactively preventing dental problems from occurring and maintaining your optimal dental health for life.
See Your Dentist
Seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent major problems. In fact, regular visits can help you keep your teeth longer, prevent pain and reduce dental costs.
You see, if dental problems aren’t addressed early on they can become very expensive. But regular visits help ensure you’re less likely to need major work and less likely to experience pain.
When it comes to your health, prevention is always better than cure. That’s why we take a gentle, preventive approach to dentistry.
So, if you’re looking for a gentle, prevention-focused dentist, get in touch with us today. We’d love to help you stick to your healthy New Year’s resolutions.