How do you start the new year with a healthier smile?

1. Establish a daily teeth cleaning routine
2. Practice flossing every day
3. Reduce your intake of sugary foods
4. Schedule a dentist visit

Have you finished writing your New Year’s resolutions? Aside from your finances, personal growth, and career, you can’t forget one of the most important aspects of your life — your health! This includes your oral health, which you might have neglected for the past year due to your busy schedule. The state of your teeth and gums will influence your overall health, so make sure that you’re starting the new year with a healthier smile. Keep on reading!

Establish A Daily Teeth Cleaning Routine

Taking simple steps such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day can help you on your journey towards healthier teeth. But with so many things to do and so little time, you might have been forgetting to do this simple task.

Tooth decay happens because of plaque, which is the bacteria-filled film that accumulates in your teeth after you eat or drink. It can also develop under your gums and tooth roots. If neglected, this can break down the bones that support your teeth.

Fortunately, proper oral hygiene which consists of brushing and flossing can get rid of plaque. The key here is to brush at least twice a day for two minutes. If you keep forgetting, give yourself reminders. Set an alarm, keep your toothbrush in sight, and integrate it into your morning and evening routine.

Practice Flossing Every Day

Flossing should be a part of your daily routine when starting the new year with a healthier smile. Maybe you had tried it before, had difficulty doing it, and just gave up entirely. But there are many tight spots in your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach properly. Flossing is vital to reach these areas where the bacteria are hiding.

That’s why one of your goals this year is to learn how to floss. It could be confusing at first, but if you do it as part of your routine you will slowly get the hang of it. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Break 18 to 24 inches of floss. Wind the floss on your middle fingers on both hands. Use the remaining 1 to 2 inches of floss to clean your teeth.
2. Using your thumbs and index fingers, hold the floss taut and place it in between two teeth.
3. Glide the floss up and down gently, making sure to rub both sides of the tooth. Curve the floss as it reaches the base of your tooth, so it can enter the space between your gums and tooth. Avoid gliding it into your gums as this can lead to bruising.
4. Repeat the steps above with a clean section of the floss on a new tooth.

Reduce Your Intake of Sugary Foods

This new year, you should also make an effort to be mindful of what you eat. This is not only beneficial for your body but also your oral health.

For instance, if you’re a fan of sweets, then it might be a good time to monitor your intake. Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth and creates acids that damage your tooth enamel. These acids can cause a bacterial infection that could lead to cavities and other teeth problems.

The good news is that your saliva plays an important role in repairing your teeth. The minerals such as calcium and phosphate which are found in your saliva replace the minerals in your enamel. Along with the fluoride from your toothpaste, these help in strengthening your teeth.

To ensure that your enamel remains protective, you should give your mouth time to naturally neutralize the pH level of your mouth. As fresh saliva makes its way into your mouth, it will slowly raise the pH level of your mouth, enabling your enamel to recover. You should get in the habit of waiting to brush for at least 30 minutes. If you’ve consumed food or drink that is highly acidic, or if you’ve had a reflux episode, you may want to wait for a full hour before you brush your teeth.

But if you consume plenty of sweets daily, then this process might not be enough to prevent the negative effects of sugar on your teeth. For this reason, it’s recommended to limit how much you consume.

Schedule A Dentist Visit

To start the new year with a healthier smile, you’ll need to have your teeth checked by a professional. Dentists can spot issues early and provide treatment, so you won’t have to suffer through toothaches and gum problems in the future. In general, you should have your teeth checked twice a year. Your dentist will perform an exam and cleaning treatment to keep your mouth in peak health.

If the thought of visiting the dentist scares or stresses you out, you will benefit from Elevate Dental’s new clinic in BGC. The staff and dentists in the clinic will do their best to make your visit as pleasant as possible.

From the moment you step into the lobby, you will feel welcomed by the staff. Do you want to watch Netflix while having your teeth checked? This is possible at the clinic. The private treatment rooms are disinfected and sanitized between each patient use, so you can be more comfortable during your check-up. With new and modern facilities, you will get the best treatment you deserve.

Key Takeaway

If you’re interested in starting the new year with a healthier smile, you can contact us here at Elevate Dental! Through our new clinic in Bonifacio Stopover Pavilion, BGC Taguig, we can make your dental visits as comfortable as possible and provide you with the dental expertise you need. For routine dental cleanings and treatments, you can set an appointment via this website or call us at our hotlines.