What New Year’s resolutions have you made? If you plan on making some changes to your life in 2023, we think you should include your smile’s health and beauty. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about different resolutions you could make to keep your teeth bright and gums healthy!
Better Care at Home
Often, people grow laxed on their brushing and flossing routine, which means an increased risk of tooth decay and even issues like gum disease. At home, you need to brush twice a day, first in the morning when you wake up and then again in the evening before going to bed. Each session needs to take at least two minutes to complete, and we recommend a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent inadvertent enamel damage or gum recession. You can use an electric or manual, your preference. Your toothpaste selection matters too! We recommend one with fluoride, as this helps strengthen the outer enamel to fight tooth decay.
Flossing should happen every evening, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. You should take your floss tape or pick, and run the tape up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line when you do.
Your Food and Drink Options
What we eat and drink can impact our smiles too! For snacks and meals, try to cut back on sugar and enjoy starch-heavy items in moderation. For drinks, again try to enjoy more glasses of water instead of soda, energy drinks, or sports drinks, all of which contain harmful amounts of sugars and acids. Taking time to eat healthier options helps lower your risk of cavities and periodontal issues, as you’re no longer providing the sugar and starch that harmful oral bacteria love to consume, a process that leads to plaque buildup, and the cavities and gum troubles.
Checkup and Cleaning Visits
You should also find time to see us for a checkup and cleaning visit! A checkup is an opportunity to undergo an exam to look for signs of trouble and address them before they impact your smile’s health and stability, such as tooth decay, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. The cleaning portion enables our team to remove all harmful layers of plaque and tartar buildup before they cause issues like bad breath, teeth stains, and even cavities and periodontal disease. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Keeping Your Smile Strong?
There is still time to make resolutions to improve your smile! If you would like to learn more about keeping your teeth and gums strong and healthy, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
