Better Dental Care to Start the New Year

Brush Twice As Much

A lot of people only brush in the morning, after they shower and eat breakfast. However, one of the main things you will hear from a dentist is to brush more, and most dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day. Some dentists recommend that you brush three times a day, once after each meal. This will ensure that you are removing harmful food particles and bacteria after you eat large meals. 

It’s also important to be a good example to your children by encouraging them, from an early age, to brush their teeth regularly. Teaching your children the importance of excellent brushing habits is crucial to the future dental health, and there are now easier ways to take care of your mouth. Electric toothbrushes and water picks work hard to remove unwanted plaque and trapped food particles, giving you more options than just a toothbrush.  

Floss Regularly 

Flossing regularly is preached by just about every dentist on the planet, but their pleas are rarely adhered to. If you don’t floss daily, your dentist will encourage you to floss more – a lot more. 

Flossing is crucial in removing food particles that have become lodged between teeth, and since you eat food every day it only makes sense to floss every day too. In the past, dental floss was used by wrapping both ends of the floss around each index finger. However, there are now floss picks, water picks, and soft picks which are a lot less messy and easier to use than traditional floss. 

Healthy Living 

It only makes sense that healthy living can lead to a healthier mouth, and that involves eating healthier foods and eliminating bad habits. Without question, the most popular new year’s resolution is losing weight and eating healthier, but eating poorly affects your physical appearance more than you think. By eating unhealthy foods, you are damaging your body, mind, and soul, but you are also damaging your teeth and gums. Soda pop, wine, coffee, and energy drinks can damage and stain your teeth due to the acid in the drinks. 

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing gum should not replace the act of brushing, but choosing the correct type of chewing gum can act as a toothbrush between meals. After a meal, chewing sugarless gum for around 20 minutes can help prevent tooth decay, but brushing your teeth is always more effective.

Plaque is one of the main things that can attack and break down tooth enamel, the acidic food and drinks we consume produce harmful acids that slowly erode away at our enamel. Chewing gum stimulates and helps to produce additional saliva which helps to neutralize plaque acids, making it a great weapon against tooth decay.