As one year ends and another begins, it’s time to make your New Year’s resolutions. The most common New Year’s resolutions center around personal health – but don’t forget about your oral health! Committing to better oral hygiene is a great resolution to consider making this year! In the sections below, we’ll give some expert examples of how you can make oral health a priority in 2021.
Drink more water
Drinking water boosts your energy, supports better skin health, and helps prevent headaches. Did you know that drinking water is also a great way to keep your mouth healthy? That’s because water helps wash away lingering food particles, protecting your mouth from bad bacteria. It also promotes saliva production, which helps strengthen enamel by delivering essential nutrients and minerals.
Try sipping on water throughout the day to incorporate better oral hygiene into your New Year’s resolutions. (As an added benefit, if your plan for the year includes better weight management, you’ll also be boosting your metabolic rate!)
Brush for two minutes
The best way to ensure that you are reaching all surface areas of your teeth (especially those pesky back molars) is to brush twice a day, for a full two minutes.
If that sounds like a long time, you’re right! For many dental patients, two minutes is much longer than they normally brush. Although dental experts highly recommend two-minute brushing sessions, the average brushing time is closer to 30 or 45 seconds. Brushing for a full two minutes will help keep all areas of your mouth clean, fighting back against gum disease, cavities, and enamel erosion.
Make a commitment to brushing for a full two minutes, and set a timer each time you brush. Two minutes may seem tough at first, but over time, your new habit will become easier and easier. There are even plenty of dental hygiene apps that have built-in timers and interactive charts to keep you on track!
Cut back on sugary or acidic foods
Everything you eat and drink has an impact on your oral health. Some of the worst offenders are candy, soda, fruit juice, wine, and coffee. If you are consuming foods and beverages that are high in starches, carbohydrates, or sugar, you could be doing more damage to your teeth than you realize. That’s because sugar breaks down into acid as it is digested, wearing away at your enamel and making your teeth susceptible to decay.
Protect your teeth by cutting down on snacks and beverages that are high in sugar or acidity. When you do consume these foods, you can minimize their negative effects by brushing your teeth, rinsing with mouthwash, or chewing sugar-free gum directly afterward. This will help wash away sugar particles and stimulate saliva production to keep cavity-causing bacteria in check.
Of course, the most important resolution that you can make in 2021 is to keep up with your regular dental check-ups. If you haven’t scheduled your annual check-up, pick up the phone and call Aurora Dental Group today! We’ll be happy to help you start the new year with great oral health in mind.
