The arrival of a new year brings so many possibilities. It’s the perfect time to start anew or to plan out goals for the upcoming months.
While you’re making your resolutions, don’t forget about your dental health care. Whether you want fewer cavities or whiter teeth, having dental health goals will give you something to work towards.
Our family dentists at Heroes Dental want to share a few resolutions you can make that will help you meet the goal of a healthy smile and maintaining white teeth.
Dental Resolutions for a Great 2023
1. Improve Your Diet
What you put in your body affects your teeth. Acidic and sugary foods and drinks can damage your teeth and make your next visit to your Pharr family dentist a bit more complicated.
Instead of sweets, aim to eat nutritious foods that help your teeth stay healthy. You should also replace drinks with water.
Fruit and vegetables give you nutrients your teeth need and water helps wash away food residue that can damage your teeth. As a bonus, this change will improve your overall health.
2. Restore Your Smile
As previously mentioned, your diet will affect how your smile looks. Foods such as coffee and red wine can leave your teeth less than sparkling, while behaviors like smoking can be horrible for your dental and overall health.
While a cosmetic dentist can help improve your smile, if you want to maintain white teeth, you need to be mindful of your diet.
Quit smoking and make sure you cut down on teeth-staining foods and drinks. You should also cut down on sodas, candies, and other sources of sugar. If you’re having trouble getting going, aim to cut down little by little.
Keep your goals “snack size” and you’ll be more likely to stick with them.
Additionally, if you have been skipping out on dental work, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. Fixing problems early will improve the appearance of your teeth and help prevent further issues from arising.
3. Cut Out Bad Dental Habits
We all have bad habits, but some can damage your teeth worse than others. For instance, if you clench your jaw or grind your teeth, you’re setting yourself up for problems. This type of habit can damage your chewing surfaces or fracture your teeth along with causing you to suffer from headaches and jaw pain.
Ask your family dentist about your options to help protect your teeth.
4. Make Dental Health Care Part of Your Routine
Most people have a routine when they get up and go to bed. If you don’t make dental hygiene a habit, it can be hard to get things started. The best thing to do is resolve to change your routine. Add a reminder on your calendar or digital reminders so it won’t slip your mind.
You should also make sure you brush and floss the right way. You need to brush twice a day for two minutes to keep your teeth clean. Get every surface and don’t scrub hard. You only need to floss once a day, but be sure to thoroughly clean between your teeth where your brush can’t reach them.
If you have trouble brushing or flossing, electric toothbrushes and other solutions can help you have good dental hygiene. Your family dentist can also provide suggestions that will work for you.
5. Visit Your Family Dentist
One of the biggest resolutions you can make is to visit your dentist regularly. About a third of adults in the United States skip these appointments, but you shouldn’t wait until you’re experiencing a problem.
Pharr Family Dentist Is Here for You
If you’re looking for a family dentist, Heroes Dental is here for you. We can help make sure you get the regular cleanings your teeth need to stay healthy. Get your year started the right way and resolve to visit your dentist today!