8 Tips for a Healthier Mouth in the New Year

It doesn’t matter if you’re the type to make resolutions in the new year or if you’d rather not bother. Everyone has things they’d like to improve about themselves. If you want a healthier mouth and brighter smile in the coming year or anytime, you have more control over your dental health than you realize.

Here are eight tips for a healthier mouth in the coming year and beyond.

Drink More Water

Most people don’t drink enough water. Sodas, coffee, tea, or juice are all common but many of us don’t drink enough of the most natural beverage in the world. Water is good for your skin and helps you avoid extra calories so if your goal is to lose weight, it’s a good option for that too. But for your teeth, drinking water means you’ll have less sugar and sticky substances in your mouth, coating your teeth. More water equals less chance of tooth decay, cavities, and other dental problems.

Eat Healthier Foods

For the same reasons you need to drink more water, you should also eat healthier foods. It’s unrealistic to expect you never to indulge in a slice of cake or piece of candy. But if you replace just a few indulgences with fresh fruit and vegetables your body and your mouth will be much happier. Fewer pastries, sweets, and other bad-for-you foods mean fewer chances for plaque to grow on your teeth.

Brush and Floss Regularly

By regularly, we mean at least twice a day. In a perfect world, everyone would brush or floss after every meal but that’s not always easy. In the morning and at night is enough to keep your teeth clean and free of heavy plaque. A night or two of skipping out won’t hurt you, but too much time without taking care of your teeth can lead to problems.

Schedule Routine Check-Ups

Of course, it’s not enough to schedule routine dental appointments. You have to go to them, too. Think of getting your teeth cleaned and checked like bringing your car in to be serviced. We open up the hood, look around, make sure everything works like it should, and spruce you up a bit. It’s much better for you if your dentist finds a cavity early or removes plaque before it becomes a major problem down the road.

Replace Missing Teeth

Getting dental implants isn’t just cosmetic, although having a nicer smile is something many people want. Tooth loss can lead to boneless in your jaw if you have enough missing teeth. Now is the time to consider dental implants to replace one or more of your lost teeth. You’ll prevent problems before they begin and feel more confident about your smile. Best of all, you can take care of them like your natural teeth with brushing and regular check-ups.

Use a Straw

If you’re going to drink something other than water, use a straw whenever possible. While not a perfect remedy, straws push sugary and dark-colored liquids to the back of your mouth. They spend less time on your teeth which can reduce stains and the amount of sugar sitting on your teeth between brushing.

Stop Smoking and Using Other Tobacco Products

This one may be the hardest to do. Telling someone to stop smoking is the easy part. Actually doing it is tough. If having a healthier smile motivates you to quit, though, even better. Tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer — these are all possibilities when you smoke or use any kind of tobacco. Work with your primary doctor and get support to help quit smoking. Taking care of your teeth and mouth are only some of the benefits to you.

Visit When Something Goes Wrong

Broke a crown? Chipped a tooth? Are your teeth suddenly sensitive for no apparent reason? Visit your dentist when something goes wrong. If you wait too long, like the four months until your next check-up, a small problem could become a big one. Yes, your appointment may involve some discomfort but think of how much worse you’ll feel in a few months. Call your dentist and have problems looked at immediately.

Conclusion

Small things all add up, and sometimes doing something for your overall health also improves your oral health. Think of it as a healthy form of multitasking. If you take care of your teeth now, they’ll be around for a long time. And if you’re struggling with past dental problems and want a new start, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your local dentists and figure out the best course of action. Your dental health and your smile are worth the effort.