Another year has come and gone; and as 2019 quickly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your new year’s resolutions and what goals you would like to set for yourself in the year to come. At Sunrise Dentistry, we want to help you improve your oral and overall body health. Here are four resolutions for your list that will keep you smiling all year long.
Drink More Water
We can’t say it enough, but there’s a reason why it’s so important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. Water helps to keep saliva levels normal, and saliva serves as your body’s first defense in combating tooth decay. Drinking water also helps to wash away starches and sugars from teeth, which helps to prevent cavities. It can also aid in weight loss and prevent type 2 diabetes since water contains zero calories. Try replacing sugary soft drinks and juices with a glass of water and reap the health benefits.
Brush for Longer
It’s possible that you aren’t brushing your teeth for long enough. We recommend brushing twice a day—once in the morning when you wake up and once before bed—for two minutes each time. Simple ways to make sure that you’re brushing for the whole two minutes is to use watch the clock, use your phone’s timer or play a song that is longer than two minutes and brush for the duration of the song. If you feel like two minutes isn’t long enough to get your teeth feeling clean, then feel free to brush for a little while longer.
Floss Better
You might be brushing regularly, but many people tend to neglect the flossing aspect of their oral routine. Flossing not only removes food particles that become stuck between teeth; it also reduces plaque buildup and stimulates gums while lowering the risk of inflammation. If you do floss regularly, make sure that you are going through the steps properly to ensure that your flossing routine is actually working. This video provides a visual as to how you should floss.
Commit to your Appointments
Regardless of how well you stick to your daily oral routine, you should still see your dentist every six months, or twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Aside from removing calculus buildup and checking for cavities, your dentist is able to provide preventative services and check for any problems that could become increasingly worse with time. It’s better to catch any potential issues right away so that your dentist can provide a solution to the problem sooner than later.
Sunrise Dentistry wants to make 2019 your best year yet. Let us help you ring in the new year with a smile! To schedule your appointment with us, visit us online today.
