A New Year brings new opportunities for personal improvement, and your oral health should be no exception. Good oral health is paramount not only for your smile but also for your overall wellness. Healthy gums, teeth, and mouth prevent oral diseases, enable proper nutrition intake, and can improve mental health. Investing in good oral health contributes to a better quality of life. If you haven’t already, make this year the one to achieve optimal oral health with a couple of New Year’s resolutions!
Upgrade Your Dental Care Products
One of the easiest ways to improve your oral health is by upgrading your dental care products. Fluoride mouthwash, for instance, can be an excellent addition to your routine. It freshens your breath and prevents tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.
A water pick, or oral irrigator, can also be beneficial. This device removes plaque and food particles in places where a toothbrush or traditional floss cannot easily reach.
Finally, investing in an electric toothbrush is another excellent upgrade. It provides a more thorough clean by oscillating and pulsating to break up and remove plaque more effectively than manual brushing.
Improve Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of good oral health, but how you do them can influence their effectiveness. Ensure you brush for at least two minutes twice a day, using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Soft bristles are gentle on the gums, reducing the risk of causing gum recession, damaging the soft tissue, and increasing enamel wear. Flossing should occur at least once daily, ideally before brushing, to remove food debris from between the teeth.
Consider Dental Implants
If you’ve lost a tooth or several teeth, consider getting dental implants. Implants improve the aesthetic of your smile and provide many health benefits. Dental implants prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into gaps left by a missing tooth, preserving the alignment of your teeth and bite. Maintaining proper alignment reduces issues like uneven wear, TMJ disorders, and difficulty cleaning between teeth. Dental implants also prevent bone loss that often accompanies tooth loss and act as a natural tooth root, creating a stable foundation for artificial teeth such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. This stability allows you to chew and speak naturally, improving both functionality and comfort.
These New Year’s resolutions for optimal oral health will help you give your mouth the attention it deserves. Although the year has started, it’s never too late to start on some New Year’s resolutions! At Pinnacle Dental Associates, we offer dental implants in Albany, Oregon, helping many people meet their New Year’s oral health goals. Give us a call, and let’s start making your resolutions achievable!