Now is the time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions for 2019! Becoming healthier is a popular resolution each year, but have you ever considered adding oral health to your list of things to consider when you start planning your New Year’s health and wellness plan? You should, as experts agree that good overall oral health is an excellent first step towards being a better you. Here are four tips for your oral health New Year’s resolutions for 2019.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies are great for your teeth and gums. Crisp vegetables and fruit like celery, apples, and others with high water content naturally remove food and plaque build-up on your teeth while eating. Other fruits like oranges and bananas that contain supportive antioxidants and vitamins help prevent periodontitis, also known as gum disease.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is hazardous to your overall health, but it’s particularly damaging to your teeth and gums. It leaves your teeth stained and increases your chance of tooth and gum decay. Smoking is also the leading cause of cancer of the gums. If you need help with quitting, your dentist can prescribe you nicotine gum.
Floss Daily
Flossing once a day is just as important as brushing twice a day. Flossing is important because your toothbrush can’t reach all the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing removes the plaque and food stuck in between your teeth that, if left there could lead to cavities or gum disease in the future. Adding another minute to your oral health regimen is a small price to pay for not having to deal with either of those things later.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Dentist
Don’t forget to visit your dentist twice a year to check up on how your New Year’s resolution is working out for you, and to make sure that there’s nothing else you need to be doing to keep your visits to the dentist to a minimum.
Improving your oral health and your overall health basically goes hand-in-hand; the healthier the things you put into your body, the healthier your teeth and your body will be. If you have any questions about how to keep your teeth healthy, or if you’d like to make an appointment, call your friends at C & C Dentistry. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you with any concerns you may have.