new year, new smile
Happy New Year to all of you! This time of the year often brings reflection and hopes for the next 12 months. New Year’s resolutions are typically related to our personal health. For many it is losing weight, eating healthier, or getting more sleep. This year with the health resolutions, let’s add in oral health! Good oral health impacts far more than most people realize.
Steps to Excellent Oral Health
What steps can you take this year to achieve good oral health?
Brushing
You’ve heard this before! That’s because brushing two times per day for two minutes is the most important part of oral health. You should use short, gentle strokes, and concentrate on cleaning all surfaces of each tooth. Also, don’t forget to change your brush when it starts showing wear, or every three months, whichever comes first!
Quit smoking
The negative effects that smoking has on your body are commonly known so this may be a New Year’s resolution for many already! The Center for Disease Control has found that your risk for gum disease is doubled if you are a smoker. You could make this the year that you stop smoking!
Floss
A study done by the American Dental Association reported that only 4 out of 10 Americans floss at least once a day and 20% never floss. Keep in mind that it was also found that 23% of Americans lie about flossing to their dentist… Flossing may not give you the immediate fresh breath feeling but the benefits are hard to deny!
Watch what you eat and drink
Some foods and drinks are great for your teeth and others can stain them and damage your enamel. Try to limit acidic and sugary foods and drinks to a minimum. Fibrous foods and dairy can help to maintain your healthy smile. When drinking staining liquids like red wine, tea, and coffee remember to brush or give your mouth a good rinse with water after consumption!
Come in and see us
Routine cleanings are an easy step to ensure a healthy mouth! The dentist may not be your favorite place to visit every 6 months but it’s a great way to avoid needing dental work like fillings and crowns. Let’s aim for prevention vs. treatment in 2018!
“Brushing two times per day for two minutes is the most important part of oral health”
What will these healthy habits do for you?
Whiter teeth
Brushing your teeth after eating, along with getting routine cleanings, will help eliminate stains and keep your smile looking bright white. Toothpastes have mild abrasives in them that help to remove stains and debris. Routine professional cleanings help to get your gums and teeth in tip top shape. With strong, white teeth you can feel confident smiling big!
Prevent gum disease Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is caused by plaque build-up around your teeth. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and causes bleeding and irritation. Plaque can be cleaned off by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and routine cleanings.
Save money
Prevention is far friendlier to the wallet than cure. If you are ignoring the importance of oral health the outcome is never a good one. If you are brushing, flossing, rinsing, and coming in for your routine cleanings, your oral health future looks bright! Healthy teeth means less issues that can result in procudures like crowns, extractions, and fillings.
Heart health
The bacteria in your mouth can make its way into your bloodstream. This bacteria can increase your chance of a heart attack. Keep that bacteria at bay with excellent oral health habits.
Prevent or minimize diabetes
Gum disease can make it hard to control your blood glucose. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease just as gum disease has the potential to contribute to development or progression of diabetes. Taking care of your gums may be more vital than you think!
Healthy Pregnancy
It has been proven that gum disease can increase the chance of both low birth weight and premature birth. Delayed contraception and impotance can also be caused by gum disease. Having good oral health is an important part in having a healthy pregnancy!
The gist
Taking care of your teeth and gums by giving your mouth the attention it deserves can reduce your risk for many things that you would never assume! Heart disease, having a stroke, diabetes, Alzheimers, lung infections, kidney problems, infertility, and preterm birth are all important considerations when you’re deciding to brush or to come in for that cleaning.
Keep your mouth, health, and wallet happy by routine cleanings and healthy at home habits!
New year, New insurance?
For many dental insurance plans the new fiscal year begins on January 1st. This is important to keep in mind for your next appointment in the new year. If you have new dental insurance please give us a call with your updated information or you can bring it with you to your next appointment and let us know it will need to be updated. If you have any questions regarding your dental insurance plans, new or old, please don’t hesisitate to call us!
Chatham Dental Center
Sources: https://www.passesdentalcare.com/make-an-oral-health-resolution-for-2018/ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/06/24/417184367/are-you-flossing-or-just-lying-about-flossing-the-dentist-knows http://evolvedental.com.au/resources/blog/10-benefits-clean-teeth-and-healthy-mouth http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2014-archive/october/survey-finds-shortcomings-in-oral-health-habits