It’s 2022 and you know what that means: new year, new you. It’s time for you to be your new and improved self. Why not start with your smile?
Even if you take perfect care of your pearly whites, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t make an extra effort to keep your smile clean and healthy all year long. We’re here to talk about a few fun dental New Year’s resolutions that you should consider if you want better dental health in 2022.
Read on for advice from your favorite local dental clinic.
1. Buy Yourself an Electric Toothbrush
Do you think that you deserve a New Year’s gift to yourself? Why not spend a bit of extra money on an electric toothbrush this year?
Electric toothbrushes can be very affordable. They last a long time because you can just swap out the top when the bristles get worn down. A good spinning toothbrush will make a huge difference when it comes to your dental health.
If you want to emulate the “just after a professional cleaning” feeling, an electric toothbrush is an obvious answer. You can feel fresh and clean between your routine dentist visits!
Electric toothbrushes are far better at getting rid of sticky plaque and bacteria and they’re gentle enough for sensitive gums and teeth.
2. Brush and Floss the Right Way
So you know that you need to brush your teeth at least twice per day, right? Do you always brush the right way?
Whenever you bush your teeth, you should do it for a minimum of two minutes at a time. This way, you can cover all surfaces of your teeth and brush your tongue. It’s easy to zoom through your tooth-brushing session, but this isn’t going to be good for you.
If you happen to have braces or clear aligners, make sure that you’re brushing after every meal or snack as well.
Floss your teeth at least once per day as a part of your brushing routine. Floss removes debris and plaque from between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
When you’re done brushing and flossing, don’t rinse your mouth out with water. Let the fluoride from your toothpaste sit on your teeth so it can continue strengthening and protecting them.
3. Consume Less Sugar
This is a great resolution for both your body and your teeth. This is the year that you start to consume less sugar.
Yes, we know that the holidays were full of sweet treats and drinks. New year, new you. It’s time to make a change.
Sugar is bad for your overall health when you consume too much of it. It can cause weight gain, diabetes, skin problems, and more. When it comes to your teeth, it can lead to cavities.
When you eat sugar, bacteria in your mouth consume it and it turns into acid, which then combines with saliva to turn into plaque. This can happen with any basic carbohydrate, but sugar does tend to be the biggest offender.
When you eat sweets in moderation, rinse or brush your teeth as soon as possible to mitigate damage.
4. Invest in Your Smile
Are you happy with the overall appearance of your smile? If not, why not make 2022 the year that you start working toward that superstar grin that you’ve always wanted?
While aesthetics are always secondary to health when it comes to your teeth, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make aesthetic changes, even if you think that they might be “shallow.”
Does your smile not shine as brightly as you’d like it to? Why not find a dentist who specializes in teeth whitening? Whitening your teeth is quick, easy, and affordable enough for a New Year’s gift.
It doesn’t stop at teeth whitening.
You could find your best local dentist who offers cosmetic services such as dental implants or dental veneers. These products can cover or replace your natural teeth to give you “perfect” alternatives even if your teeth are gone or misshapen.
If you’re ready for a time commitment, you could also invest in orthodontics. Having straight teeth will make your mouth healthier and you’ll feel more confident.
There’s no better time than at the beginning of a new year to start your orthodontic treatment. By your next New Year’s Eve party, you’ll have straighter teeth!
5. Avoid Staining Foods
So perhaps you over-indulged in red wine during the holidays. We won’t judge you. After your next teeth whitening session, however, it’s time to start avoiding foods and drinks that stain your teeth.
Some of these foods and drinks are good to avoid for health reasons anyway. For example, excess caffeine from coffee or alcohol from red wine are less than ideal additions to your diet. Why not cut back?
Even if you get regular professional teeth whitening sessions, foods can still stain your teeth no matter how often you brush. Do your best to avoid things like:
- Dark berries
- Dark wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Energy drinks
When you do consume these things, rinse your mouth with water right away.
6. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Did you know that you’re supposed to visit your dentist at least twice per year? if you’re not already doing that, this should be your top tooth-related New Year’s resolution!
Many people only seek out a visit to the dentist when they think that something is wrong. Believe it or not, it’s likely that you won’t notice a dental problem until it becomes serious. Even cavities can be painless until they’re deep enough that they require serious intervention.
When you visit your best local dentist twice per year, you’re giving them the opportunity to make sure that your teeth are in tip-top condition.
Happy New Year from Your Local Dental Clinic
New year, new smile. It’s time to visit your local dental clinic so you can start keeping your dental New Year’s resolutions.
Keep your teeth healthy, shiny, and clean by visiting your dentist in Mississauga regularly, avoiding sugar and staining foods, brushing the right way, and investing in your smile.
If you’re ready to visit a “dentist near me,” we want to meet you! Contact us to book an appointment today so you can start the new year with a smile.
