The New Year is finally here, alongside “New Year New Me” messages flooding your social media timelines. Even though these messages are highly motivational, we all know that failure to plan is a solid plan to fail. That is why we have created this five-step guide to make sure that, while you have a ton of health goals, you achieve all your oral health resolutions for 2019 with flying colors.
The only way to attain excellent oral hygiene, straight teeth and a beautiful smile is by committing to a good orthodontic treatment plan. If your teeth or smile ever held you back from being confident and reaching your goals in 2018, we will walk you through how to fix that this year.
Below are the five steps you must consider following: Floss: Brushing and flossing your teeth are the first actions of defense in preventing dental health complications. If you don’t brush and floss as recommended, plaque can develop on and between teeth causing cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice and flossing at least once a day. Remember, when you brush your teeth, the goal is to remove any food and plaque on your gums and teeth. Plaque is soft and a tooth brush with soft bristles can easily remove it. A hard toothbrush is no more effective at removing plaque than a soft one and can cause harm to the teeth and gums if scrubbed too hard possibly irritating the gums and causing recession. If your dental hygiene habits are lacking, step up your game in 2019 by brushing and flossing regularly.
Visit your Dentist: Your dentist is the expert when it comes to keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Scheduling checkups allows your dentist to monitor your dental health and address any concerns before they become bigger problems. It is recommended visiting your dentist every six months; this is the best way to make sure your dental health is at its best. So, if you haven’t visited your dentist in years, make it your priority to pay him/her a visit as soon as possible, and don’t forget to schedule a follow appointment for a second visit of the year in 6 months.
Consume Less Sugar and Eat More Greens: Sugary snacks and beverages are bad for your teeth. When sugars are broken down in your mouth, they produce acids that wear away your enamel and cause cavities and tooth decay. A healthy diet is important for maintaining good dental health. Eating greens like spinach boosts your calcium, while getting enough Vitamin D allows the body to absorb calcium. Calcium deficiency can lead to underdeveloped teeth, gum disease and tooth decay. Eating unhealthy snacks that are high in sugar and low in calcium, are part of the bad habits you would have to leave behind in 2018. This new year, make it your mission to adopt healthy eating habits to strengthen your teeth, fight bacteria and prevent any dental disease.
Align Your Bite: Once your teeth are clean and healthy, you can schedule an orthodontic consultation to get the straight and radiant smile you have always wanted. Never have children and adults had so many options for orthodontic care as they do today. From traditional metal to clear ceramic braces, phase I treatment for the younger patients and Invisalign clear aligners. If you have crooked teeth, gaps, an overbite, under-bite or just feel that your smile could use a little straightening, schedule a free consultation with us and find out which orthodontic appliance best fits your teeth issues and your lifestyle.
Brighten Your Teeth: A beautiful smile can add a major boost to your confidence and have a positive effect on your social and professional life. To enhance your beautiful new smile, you may want to consider whitening or brightening your teeth. Over time, teeth can yellow for a variety of reasons, including consuming sugary foods, drinking coffee/tea/colored drinks, smoking or simply the passing of time. For many people, a smile is one of their most noticeable and important features, so it should be radiant and appealing. To remedy discolored teeth, you could visit your local dentist for teeth whitening, and maintain bright teeth naturally with activated charcoal, which has been observed to effectively absorb compounds that stain teeth.
Note: For best results, dentists recommend that you wait until your orthodontic treatment is complete prior to any intensive whitening procedure.
