New Year’s Resolution for a Healthy Mouth

The best part about a New Year’s Resolution for a healthy mouth is that it can be an easy goal to accomplish. Whether you are already practicing good oral hygiene or know you need to make changes to better support your oral hygiene, there are usually new ways to improve the health of your mouth. A great time for oral hygiene is at the New Year!

Tooth Brushing:Stick to brushing twice a day for two minutes each session in order to remove cavity causing plaque before it turns into hardened calculus. Change out your tooth brush every 2 to 3 months or follow replacement instructions if you have an electric tooth brush.

Flossing: Do not forgo dental flossing twice daily to remove plaque that is in between your teeth and areas that your tooth brush cannot reach. It’s one thing to prevent cavities on the surfaces of your teeth with tooth brushing. It’s another to prevent cavities on the sides of your teeth and hard to reach areas with dental flossing.

Mouthwash: Swish a bit of mouthwash in your mouth twice a day. Mouthwash helps to control cavity causing plaque.

Nutrition:Protect your tooth enamel with calcium and phosphorus filled foods, such as chicken, meats, cheeses, nuts and milk. Enjoy crunchy vegetables and fruits like apples and pears that work similarly to scourers that deep cleanse your teeth. Drink fluoridated water, milk, and unsweetened tea. Refrain from acid and sugar-containing foods or drinks. Use a straw if you must drink sugar filled drinks. Use sugar substitutes when possible.

Dental Visits:Dental visits for examinations and deep cleaning are critical for optimal oral hygiene. There may also be times that you’ll need to visit your dentist more often, such as for the replacement of old dental fillings and other types of restorations.

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.