Appointment
Request
When the new year rolls around, it’s good to take stock of the things that are important. If you’re like a lot of people, you may have been putting your oral health on the back burner for a while now. But if you want to look and feel better this next year, a great way to do that is to start properly caring for your teeth.
Of course, like any new commitment, it can be a little difficult to know where to begin with maintaining good dental hygiene. Here are a few simple tips that can make a big difference.
Step Up your Dental Hygiene
Even if you make it a point to brush twice a day, there are other aspects of taking care of your teeth that are easy to miss. Here are a few things you can try if you aren’t doing them already:
- Brush for two minutes at a time to ensure you’re covering your entire mouth.
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to better target your gums.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride.
- Clean in between your teeth once a day. You can do this with floss, interdental brushes, or a water pick.
- Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash after brushing.
Quit Smoking
This is a common new year’s resolution in itself, but quitting tobacco products is especially important to protect your oral health. Smoking is known to cause a host of oral health problems, including cancer. On the other hand, quitting will make your smile whiter, will save you money, and will make you breath smell much better. If you don’t think you can quit cold turkey, you can talk to a doctor or dentist about alternative sources of nicotine that are easier on your teeth.
Get Regular Checkups and Cleanings
If you’re busy, it can be difficult to make regular trips to the dentist. But even if you have immaculate personal hygiene, there are places in your mouth that you can’t reach on your own. It’s recommended that you see your dentist twice a year for regular cleaning. If you have dental insurance, preventive cleanings are also usually covered at a higher percentage than restorative treatments. That means checkups can actually save you money in the long term.
Compared to many new years resolutions you could make, taking care of your dental hygiene isn’t that difficult. Once you’re used to it, you probably won’t even have to think about it. And if you keep up with your resolution, by this time next year you’ll have a healthy, beautiful smile.
About Our Practice
Ocean Oaks Dental Group was established in 1962, and in the years since we’ve always managed to remain at the forefront of dental technology. Our mastery of sophisticated oral medicine allows us to deliver incredible results to our patients. Maybe that’s why we’ve managed to last as long as we have based largely on word of mouth from our patients! If you have any questions about how best to take care of your oral health in the new year, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (772) 569-4424.