What kind of New Year’s resolutions have you made for 2022? If you have had issues with your dental health recently or don’t take care of your smile as well as you should, you might want to start taking a few extra steps towards protecting your teeth. Doing so could help you avoid oral problems altogether and save a lot of money on emergency dental care. Below are 4 suggestions your dentist in Dyer might make for improving your oral health habits in the coming year.
1. Reevaluate Your Oral Hygiene Routine
You probably already brush at least two times a day, but could you be doing a better job of cleaning your teeth as much as possible? Many people only brush their teeth for less than a minute at a time; if you want to remove as much bacteria as possible, you should make sure each brushing session lasts at least two minutes. Also, flossing needs to be a part of your daily routine. It’s the most reliable way to clean the spaces between your teeth that a toothbrush wouldn’t be able to reach. It’s also a good idea to rinse with mouthwash or an antiseptic mouth rinse once you’re done brushing.
2. Make Better Diet Choices
Some of the foods you eat can potentially contribute to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Try to remove sugary or acidic foods from your diet as much as possible; you can indulge every once in a while, but you should make a conscious effort to cut down on such treats. Also, it’s often a good idea to reduce between-meal snacking. Eating tends to temporarily weaken the enamel, so if you’re eating too much during the day, you could end up wearing your teeth down faster than normal.
3. Be Careful of Dry Mouth
Do you often find yourself with a dry mouth? This could be a bigger problem than you might think, as saliva plays an essential role in oral health by remineralizing the teeth, neutralizing acids, and washing away debris. You can boost your saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum, drinking plenty of water as well as dairy products, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumptions. Also, if you’re taking any medications, talk to your doctor or dentist to see if they might be causing dry mouth as a side effect.
4. Schedule Your Next Dental Visit Now
If you aren’t seeing the dentist on a regular basis, it only makes it more likely that you’ll eventually have to visit them for emergency care. Be proactive about maintaining a healthy smile by scheduling at least two dental visits a year. If it’s been more than six months since your last appointment, now’s the perfect time to get in touch with your dental practice.
These are just a few broad suggestions that can help you improve your oral health. Your dentist might have more specific suggestions based on your history or any currently existing issues; set up a consultation with them today to discuss your smile goals for 2022.
About Advanced Dental Concepts
Here at Advanced Dental Concepts, we want to go above and beyond our patients’ expectations when it comes to care – even if they’re just visiting for a routine checkup. We always listen carefully to our patients so that we can accommodate their needs, and we strive to earn their trust as we help them achieve the smiles they want. To schedule your first checkup of the year, visit our website or call (219) 322-3418.