What Are New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Smile?

New Year’s resolutions are an excellent opportunity to set goals that encourage self-improvement. When you can make personal strides on multiple fronts while pursuing a resolution, that’s as good as it gets.

Take the goal to improve your oral health, for example. It’s going to boost your general health, plus help your wallet out by spending less during dental visits. You can alter your daily dental regimen, and before long you’ve changed a problematic behavior without even thinking about it.

Keep reading for suggestions on New Year’s resolutions for a healthy smile from your dentist in Springfield.

Resolution #1: Make Healthier Choices with Your Diet

Your diet can have a significant impact on your oral health. Steps to improve your diet can include limiting your consumption of sugary or acidic foods and beverages, reducing snacking, rinsing your mouth with water after having meals or sugary drinks, and eating lots of fruits and veggies.

Resolution #2: Combat Dry Mouth

Your saliva is crucial to maintaining the health of your teeth and gums, as it provides your enamel with minerals, neutralizes acidity, and helps wash away food matter and debris. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce dry mouth, such as chewing sugar-free gum or drinking milk to increase saliva production, drinking water regularly and especially before bed, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption or using illegal drugs.

Resolution #3: Quit Using Tobacco Products

Smoking and the use of other tobacco products invites oral health problems and stains your teeth. Nicotine is highly addictive but consulting a medical professional for insight on quitting can help you break free of the urge.

Resolution #4: Implement Helpful Oral Hygiene Habits

Some examples of stellar dental care to power up your smile include gently brushing twice each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline, using fluoride toothpaste, flossing, or utilizing an interdental brush once per day, and rinsing with mouthwash after brushing.

Resolution #5: Visit Your Dentist Twice Each Year 

The best way to stop dental issues in their tracks is to detect them early or prevent them from happening in the first place. Regular visits to your dentist will help ensure that no dental issues go unnoticed or worsen into something more serious.

Following through on New Year’s resolutions to enhance your health is an excellent, money-saving choice. Allow yourself enough time for your new routine to morph into habits. For more helpful ideas, talk to your dentist in Springfield!

About the Practice

At Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, we have assembled a team of compassionate, skilled dental professionals. We consider it our mission to help as many people in our community as possible to smile with comfort and confidence. One of our chief concerns is education, and we take pride in helping our patients understand their unique dental health needs and the options we offer to benefit their teeth and gums. We are here to support your oral health resolutions in any way we can. To schedule a dental cleaning and exam, visit our website or call (217) 546-3333.