The New Year is a popular time to make new commitments to a healthier lifestyle. We’re here to help you make a dental health resolution that will contribute to your overall wellness.
Statistics suggest that 40% of Americans will make New Year’s resolutions, yet only 8% will keep them. Adopting better dental habits is an easy resolution to keep and adding these 3 simple steps to your routine will not only improve your smile, but will also support your total health:
Brush 2xDay
Floss 1xDay
Rinse Often
Between work, family, serving the community and fitness routines, we’re busier than ever these days. When something has to give, skipping daily flossing might seem like a good way to gain a couple of minutes in the morning or going to bed without brushing might seem like a good idea after a long day.
The truth is, it only takes a couple of minutes to maintain these important habits each day, and the payoff is a healthier YOU.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice per day and cleaning between your teeth at least once per day. Don’t be intimidated by working something else into your busy routine – you can add these steps at any time in your day that works for you. Most people are sure to brush their teeth in the morning, but if mornings are a hectic time, try introducing flossing on a break during the work day and take a moment before bed to give yourself the gift of extra care by adding that second brushing.
If you are not a practiced flosser, you might find dental tape or waxed floss easier to use at first. Also check out this simple How To diagram that you can post as a guide and reminder to stay on task.
By making a dental health resolution to brush 2x a day and floss 1x day, you can reduce your risk of cavities and the perils of gum disease.
Your teeth alone account for less than half of the mouth and introducing rinsing is an easy way to take care of the rest. Adding an antimicrobial mouth rinse to your oral care will help eliminate biofilm and bacteria that brushing and flossing cannot.
When you are unable to brush or use a commercial mouth rinse between meals and snacks, we recommend rinsing with water to help dissolve excess sugars and neutralize acids that can erode protective tooth enamel.
Increasing your water intake also improves your body’s hydration, which is just plain beneficial for muscles, skin, hair, filtering waste from the body, digestion and your metabolism, just to name a few.
By making a dental health resolution to adopt these 3 simple habits for better oral health in the New Year, you serve your entire body and overall wellness, but your periodic exams are still important.
If you haven’t scheduled a dental check-up yet this year, call us today at 603.692.9229 and get your appointment on the books! In addition to cleaning your teeth, we look for signs of gum disease and perform an oral cancer screening as part of your routine exams. Keeping on schedule is key to disease prevention and the early detection of disease.
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