5 New Year’s Resolutions for Better Dental Health

2018 is coming to an end and in just a few days, 2019 will be here. If you are like most people, you may be looking to make a New Year’s resolution. Often times, our resolutions revolve around improving health and improving our appearance. One that you may make this year is to improve your dental health and your smile. Your teeth can affect the way you look and the way you feel about yourself. They can increase your confidence and help you exude a warm and inviting smile to people you meet.

Here are a few of the various ways from flossing to dental implants that you can work to improve your dental health in 2019.

Be Sure to Floss Your Teeth Regularly

Both brushing and flossing your teeth is important. Unfortunately most people don’t floss their teeth as often as they should. Flossing helps to remove food particles and build up that can get stuck between teeth and along your gum line. Your tooth brush may not be able to reach these areas. As such, it is important to floss to remove them, helping to prevent cavities. It is recommended that you floss each and every time that you brush your teeth. But if you don’t have time to do that, be sure to floss your teeth at least once per day.

Fight Off Cavities With Water or Sugar-Free Gum

Another way that you can improve your dental health is to fight off cavities with water or sugar-free gum. In a perfect world, you would be able to brush your teeth after you consume a beverage, munch on a snack or eat a meal. Unfortunately, this simply is not reality. If you have consumed food or drink and cannot brush your teeth, swish some water around in your mouth for a few seconds and/or chew a stick of sugar-free gum. Both of these methods help to prevent food from staining your teeth and help to increase the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps to fight germs and bacteria in your mouth, decreasing your odds of getting a cavity.

Visit the Dentist At Least Twice Per Year

When it comes to improving your health, it is important to visit a dentist in Mesa or Phoenix at least two times per year. Depending on your current health, it may be recommended that you have a check-up three times per year. Visiting your dentist twice per year allows a dentist the ability to examine your teeth, perform x-rays on them, find cavities before they become large and troublesome and clean your teeth professionally. If you have not visited a dentist in the past six months, you are overdue for a visit. Call your preferred dentist today to make an appointment and start the new year off right.

Replace Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can be problematic. The gap allows your other teeth to shift and can affect the structure of your face and cheeks. If you have multiple missing teeth, your cheeks can become sunken in, making you look older than you really are. Pockets where your teeth should be housed are also more prone to infection and bacteria build-up, which can affect your gums and the teeth nearby. Lastly, you can be self-conscious if you are missing a tooth. Fortunately, there is a way to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant can be placed where your missing tooth is. Dental implants replicate the look and feel of a natural tooth, making it look as though you never lost a tooth to begin with.

Be Mindful of Bleeding Gums

The last tip for improving your dental health in 2019 is to be mindful of bleeding gums. If your gums are bleeding, you may be suffering from gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease. If gum disease is allowed to progress, your gums can become inflamed, red and bleed even more. Even worse, they can start to recede. This affects their ability to hold your teeth firmly in place, and eventually, may lead to your teeth falling out. If your gums bleed when you are brushing, be sure to talk to your dentist about it.

Conclusion

Are you looking to improve your dental health in 2019? Do you need dental implants in Mesa or an emergency dentist in Phoenix? Dental Brothers, with locations in both Mesa and Phoenix, can assist you with your dental needs. We specialize in dental implants, sedation dentistry and emergency dental works. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.