Well, it’s finally happened — 2023 is here! That means a change of the calendar and plenty of opportunities. As such, now is the perfect time to set some New Year’s resolutions. In particular, you might want to make “better oral health” one of your goals. A strong smile is always a good asset to have. Your local Dyer dentist can even help you get started. Here, then, is a summary of three New Year’s resolutions you could follow for nicer teeth and gums!
Brush Your Teeth Better
As you might suspect, brushing your teeth well is the easiest way to improve your smile. More specifically, it’s to brush your teeth for the recommended two minutes.
You see, many people don’t use their toothbrushes for the proper duration. Studies show that most Americans don’t bother to brush for a minute! As such, they leave plaque on their teeth that can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Thankfully, it’s not that hard to up your brushing time. You can simply use an egg timer or an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer. Otherwise, try singing a timing song.
Cut Down on Sugary & Acidic Drinks
Sweet and acidic drinks are popular worldwide — sodas, lemonade, beer, fruit juices, etc. However, your teeth would be better off without them.
For starters, sweet beverages tend to be high in sugar. A 12-ounce can of soda, in fact, has 39 grams of the stuff. The result is that they attract bacteria that decay your tooth enamel.
Acidic drinks aren’t good for smiles, either. Per their name, they have acids that damage your mouth. Coke and sports drinks are included in this category, too, being as acidic as pure lemon juice.
When it comes to these items, try to cut down to only one daily. If you’re bold, you could also opt for every other day. Whichever you choose, just remember to follow up with water to rinse out the sugars and acids.
Quit Smoking
You should know by now that smoking is a life-threatening habit. That said, another good reason to quit is to protect your smile.
Smoking, quite simply, is one of the worst things for oral health. It increases your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Adding insult to injury, it also makes it harder to replace teeth with implants.
As you can see, boosting your oral health pays off. Therefore, try to do so as one of your 2023 New Year’s resolutions!
About the Practice
Advanced Dental Concepts is based in Dyer, IN. Led by its five amazing dentists, our practice always strives for dental excellence and relaxing care. As a result, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency procedures. Our office is also a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners and periodontal therapy. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (219)-322-3418.