It’s a new year—a fresh start. It’s time to think about how you can improve and make your life better. What do you want to work on this year? Like many others during this time of year, do you want to improve your health? Well, don’t forget your oral health as well. In fact, keeping your mouth healthy is a resolution you can easily keep. From a dentist in Washington DC, here are 4 simple things you can do this year to promote your oral health.
Decide to Floss
If you brush your teeth twice daily, you may think that you don’t need to floss. Think again. Consider all the spaces that your toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth. If not removed through flossing, the bacteria in plaque can have free reign there and produce acids that attack teeth and irritate gums. Over time it can cause tooth decay or gum disease. You can help prevent these conditions by simply flossing once daily.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Even if you do brush and floss faithfully every day, you still need to visit the dentist for your routine checkup and cleaning every six months. Over time, plaque can build up and harden or calcify into tartar. Once this happens, it becomes much more difficult to remove and allows the bacteria easier and constant access to your teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay or gum disease. Your dentist or hygienist use professional tools and skills to remove this tartar and give you a clean slate for your teeth.
Also at your routine appointment, your dentist takes the opportunity to perform an oral exam or visual inspection of your teeth, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat. They search for any abnormalities that could indicate serious conditions, such as oral cancer or gum disease. To prevent severe damage, early detection and treatment are key. After all, treating a problem while it’s small is much easier and more pleasant than dealing with it after it develops into a big one. Regular dentist appointments help ensure that any dental issues are nipped in the bud.
Consume Less Sugar
Sugar is bad not only for your waistline but also for your mouth. When you consume sugar, you also fuel those harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. By cutting back on your sugar consumption, you reduce their impact on your teeth and gums.
To replace sugary treats, you can choose food that will actually help you maintain a healthy mouth. These foods include the following:
- Leafy greens like spinach.
- Broccoli.
- Apples.
- Carrots.
- Pears.
- Cucumbers.
Drink More Water
Water has been shown to have many overall health benefits. Instead of sugary drinks, such as coffee, soda, juice, energy drinks, or milk, drink more water this year. Not only does water not have sugar, it helps to flush out food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your mouth. Especially for those with dry mouth caused by certain medications, staying hydrated is important for your oral health.
By incorporating these simple tips into your life, you will certainly reach and likely exceed your goal of promoting your oral health. You and your dentist will notice a difference. Make 2019 a great year for improvement and health by making your mouth a priority. For more ideas on how to maintain oral health, contact your dentist in Washington DC.
About the Author
At Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Washington, Dr. Yelena Obholz offers a wide variety of dental services under one roof. She continues to hone her skills through training seminars with the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. You can contact her by calling or clicking here.