New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Your Dental Health

What do exercising more, eating healthier, and spending less money have in common? These are some of the most common commitments people make at the beginning of each New Year.

The infamous New Year’s resolution — which will be yours? Maybe your dental care isn’t as good as it should be. The truth is that most people could take better care of their teeth. This year, make it a resolution to aim for better oral health.

Because your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, a healthy smile is indicative of a healthier lifestyle overall. When your mouth is healthier, your body is too.

The Dos and Don’ts of Dental Hygiene

When you consider your smile as the focus of one of your New Year’s resolutions, you’ll want to follow the golden rules for healthy teeth and avoid a few things, too. It’s not nearly as difficult as you might think, and these simple tips can help improve your gum and dental health without making drastic lifestyle changes.

Do: Brush After Every Meal

Be honest with yourself — do you brush your teeth after every meal? It’s inconvenient and takes up time that could be used for other things, but it’s an important step if you want healthier teeth. You can start by setting yourself up to brush after lunch at work by having a to-go hygiene pack stored in your desk or bag.

Do: Floss Every Day

It’s important to recognize that food particles and plaque can build up between your teeth and eventually lead to decay or gum disease. But toothbrushes can’t remove buildup in those spaces, and that’s why flossing is so important. If flossing is something you find difficult, a water flosser may be a good option. Floss picks can also be carried with you in the car, in your purse, or at your desk for easy access.

Do: Schedule Regular Exams with Dr. Cortadi at Ablantis Dental

You’ll want to plan a visit to our dental office in Encinitas, CA for a professional cleaning every six months. But why is preventative cleaning so important? Because even if you brush and floss, there can be some buildup left behind as the months go by. Our hygiene team will use special instruments to clean those difficult-to-reach places. We will clean and polish your teeth and evaluate any underlying problems so that you know what to work on between checkups.

Don’t: Put Off Your Dental Care

We get it — nobody loves getting in the chair for the dentist to work on their teeth. It’s important to know that dental problems do not get any better by themselves when you leave them alone. They actually get worse, and there is no way to make your cavities disappear. It’s better to take the plunge (or take advantage of sedation options) and follow up on your recommended treatment plan. There are many options available to keep you comfortable throughout the process.

Dental conditions will get worse if it is not treated promptly, which unfortunately results in a higher cost of treatment and more complicated procedures. Sometimes, the tooth’s condition can become so severe that it cannot be saved at all.

Don’t: Drink a Lot of Sugary Drinks

Soft drinks can cause acidic changes in our mouths. Demineralization and erosion of tooth enamel can occur when teeth are exposed to recurring acidic or sugary drinks. While some sodas are more harmful than others, they all have a bad reputation — even diet sodas, sports drinks, and juices can cause cavities!

You can reduce your chances of developing enamel corrosion by limiting your intake of these types of drinks and drinking more water instead.

Don’t: Be Afraid of Dental Care

You don’t have to be afraid of getting your teeth repaired. These days, you can combine procedures and spend less time in the dental chair, especially with the help of comfortable sedation options. Our Encinitas dentist strives to ensure that your treatments are comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Let’s Get Started

If you’re ready to make a commitment to take better care of your teeth this new year, then give Dr. Claudia Cortadi of Ablantis Dental in Encinitas, CA a call today. We look forward to meeting you and taking care of your dental needs!