We’re almost at the end of another year, and one of the best parts of the holiday season is getting some time to take stock of all the things we’re grateful for. From our families to our careers, our homes and ordinary comforts, it’s nice to know the list is pretty long. Don’t forget to include a healthy smile and your oral health partners among your blessings!
A Healthy Smile Is An Abundant Gift
The simple ability to smile, naturally and without inhibition, is truly an abundant gift. Smiling releases our bodies’ feel-good hormones, endorphins proven to reduce pain, relieve stress, boost our immune system and increase life span. Not only is
smiling good for our own well-being, but when you see someone without a smile, it costs nothing to share yours.
We Can Thank Our Dentist & Hygienist For This Gift
You might not immediately think to include your dentist or hygienist on the list of things you’re thankful for either, but we can give you a few great reasons why they should make the cut too! Between their advice on how to take care of our smile and their treatment of dental problems that arise, dental professionals do a lot to keep us healthy and happy.
Thanks to our dental pros, we know…
…the right way to brush our teeth. Brushing too little leads to plaque buildup, cavities and gum disease. Brushing too hard contributes to gum recession and strips away enamel. Thanks to our dentists, we know to brush twice a day for two minutes with soft-bristle brushes.
…how often to floss. When we don’t floss, plaque can build up between our teeth even when we brush the rest away from the outer surfaces. Daily flossing like the dentist tells us to keeps the in-between spaces just as clean as the rest!
…tricks for beating bad breath. While bad breath can have a variety of causes, good habits like daily brushing and flossing, making sure to clean our tongues, and breathing through our noses instead of our mouths can really help!
…how important dental check-ups are. One of the best things we can do to keep our teeth and gums healthy is to schedule twice-yearly dental visits. It’s always better (and cheaper) to catch dental problems early on than to suffer through the pain and have to get more intense treatment later on! Periodic exams also include an oral cancer screening and evaluation of signs for other systemic problems, so they are an important part of your overall preventative health care.
…what to eat (and avoid) to reduce tooth decay. Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks means giving less food to the bad bacteria in our mouths, which means our teeth and gums are healthier. We can replace them with fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free treats.
Check out this article from the American Dental Association on Good Thanksgiving Foods For Your Teeth.
And We’re Just As Thankful For Our Patients!
We love helping our patients keep a healthy smile, which is why we love nothing better than getting to see you when you come in for your appointments. You make our days and our lives brighter. It’s our pleasure to help you maintain your good oral health and share a bright, confident smile with the world.
Make the end of this year wonderful. Count your healthy smile among your blessings and share it freely!