Dentist share tips for smile-enhancing New Year resolutions
It’s the beginning of a new year, and many of us are on a mission to get healthy and look after ourselves. If you’re keen to boost your health in 2020, it’s not just important to eat well, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly. Taking good care of your teeth is also essential.
In light of the arrival of January and the popularity of making resolutions, dentists are sharing tips to help enhance smiles and reduce the risk of oral health issues.
The best place to start when it comes to boosting your dental health is brushing up on oral hygiene. If you don’t already brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush, now is the time to start. Set a timer to ensure you brush for at least two minutes, cover every tooth and clean your tongue. This will help to reduce the risk of plaque formation and bad breath. When you’re brushing, be gentle. If you have an electric toothbrush, you don’t need to exert any effort. Simply move the brush head from one tooth to the next. Brushing firmly can damage the enamel.
Another change you might want to make is adapting your eating habits. If you tend to snack and graze throughout the day, this could have a negative impact on your teeth and gums. Stick to main meals and wait around an hour after eating to brush your teeth. When you eat, oral bacteria feed, and this causes them to produce acids that temporarily soften the enamel. Snacking means that your enamel is constantly under attack, and this increases the risk of acid erosion and cavities.
Finally, this year, make sure you keep up to date with routine dental checks. If you haven’t seen a dentist in the last 6-12 months, make an appointment now. Frequent check-ups lower the risk of decay and gum disease and they’re also an important means of checking for oral cancer symptoms.
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