Enjoy a Healthier Smile This Year with These 3 Resolutions

If you feel like you could be doing a better job of protecting your smile, the new year is a perfect chance to start making a few changes. Picking up better habits now could go a long way toward helping you keep your teeth and gums in excellent shape in the long run. Below are 3 examples of New Year’s resolutions that dentists might suggest to patients who want to improve their oral health.

1. Make Better Dietary Choices

Plenty of foods can increase your risk for oral health issues if you’re not careful. For example, sugary snacks can cause the bacteria living in your mouth to produce acid, thus leading to cavities and gum disease. On top of that, acidic foods and beverages are known to weaken the teeth.

For the sake of your smile, you should limit your consumption of anything sugary or acidic. Instead, try eating more fruits and vegetables, which are filled with nutrients that can help improve oral health. It may be a good idea to talk to your dentist about your eating habits so that they can give you suggestions for improvements that you might make.

2. Start Brushing Longer

If you’re like most people, you probably only brush your teeth for about 45 to 70 seconds every day. Unfortunately, this isn’t nearly enough time; odds are that you are missing quite a bit of plaque in your mouth, and that can significantly increase your chances of developing cavities.

To maintain a healthy smile, you should always make a point of brushing for two minutes at a time. Be as thorough as possible; make sure that you’re cleaning every side of your teeth that your toothbrush can reach, and don’t forget to pay close attention to your gumline.

3. Add Flossing to Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

Flossing is the most reliable way to get rid of the plaque and food particles that regularly accumulate in the spaces between your teeth. However, while about 68% of adults in the United States floss at least once a week, less than half of them do so on a daily basis.

If you want to get the full benefits of flossing, you should make it something that you do every day. It can be easy to forget at first, so take steps to help yourself remember, such as putting a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or placing your floss on top of your toothpaste tube so that you can’t miss it.

The resolutions above are just a few examples of things you can do in 2024 to keep your smile safe. The next time you visit your dentist, ask them about any other habits that they think you should pick up.

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Shively graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and he has completed more than 600 hours of continuing education. As a dentist in Lubbock, he enjoys having the chance to help his patients in a variety of ways, and he’s proud to be able to provide a wide range of services. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Shively, visit his website or call (806) 698-8660.