Are you ready to commit to making some valuable changes this year? Are you tired of starting something new only to find yourself back into your old habits within a month? If you want a brighter, healthier smile to start 2020, why not try these 4 new year’s health resolutions that are easy to stick to. Read on to find out why your dentist suggests there’s no better time than now to make positive changes in your oral health.
Schedule Your Six-Month Appointments
Twice a year, your dentist wants to help you achieve better dental health. How? By performing regular dental checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, you can rest assured that your teeth and gums are in the best of hands. Not only will your dentist check for abnormalities and problem areas, but your dental hygienist will remove harmful plaque and tartar from your gum line and give your teeth a polish, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Yes, brushing and rinsing are important parts of your oral hygiene routine, but you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that flossing is imperative to keeping decay and disease out of your mouth. When food particles and harmful bacteria become trapped in-between your teeth, it can lead to increased risk for gum disease and cavities if left untreated. Stop by your local drug store and pick up waxed dental floss and incorporate it into your normal morning and nightly regime.
Watch Your Sugar Consumption
Even if you’re working hard to eat more fruits and vegetables this year, you still need to be mindful of how much sugar you consume. It’s not only found in candy, cookies, and other delectable desserts. If you enjoy soda, fruit juices, or sports drinks, you may be ingesting more sugar than you think. When you do, you’re opening yourself up to possible decay and cavity formation. So, swap out your favorite carbonated beverage for water and make sure you’re maintaining a well-balanced diet full of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products.
Kick the Habit
You’ve probably been told a thousand times to stop smoking over the years. If this is a vice that is hard to give up, it’s time to talk to your doctor about ways in which you can quit. Smoking not only causes problems for your overall health, but it also raises your risk for developing gum disease, which can lead to increased problems, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and other harmful conditions. Look into support groups or use nicotine patches or lozenges to help you quit in 2020.
Let the new year be an opportunity for a fresh start. Your smile says a lot about you and by choosing to keep it healthy, you may just be more apt to keep those other resolutions you made this year.
About the Author
Dr. Racha W. Kadamani has more than 18 years of experience working in the field of dentistry. Originally from Damascus, Syria, she attended the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California. Staying on the edge of the latest advancements in dentistry, she is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standard when it comes to treating her patients. Whether they are in need of preventive care or restorative dentistry, she and the team at Laith Family Dentistry will work to help all patients achieve a healthier, brighter, more beautiful smile. To learn more, contact us at (210) 782-0008.
