After years of being diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth, you’re wondering what new dental habits could benefit you. The turn of the decade is the perfect time to commit to a healthier version of you. With routine visits to your dentist, upgraded dental hygiene tools, and a more nutritious diet, you can keep your teeth and gums in the best possible shape. Read on to learn the importance of your mouth and why making a promise to optimize your oral health this new year is worth it.
Why is Your Oral Health Important?
Many people know that they need to brush twice each day to remove plaque and food debris from their mouth, but they aren’t aware of what will happen if they don’t. Anytime you eat something, the food particles left over in your mouth combine with saliva and harmful oral bacteria to create a sticky substance called plaque that coats your teeth. The bacteria feed off of the sugar and carbohydrates found in the film and product two types of waste—toxins and enamel-eroding acid. Both of these weaken and damage your teeth and gums over time, resulting in a variety of oral health problems, such as cavities and gum disease.
When the plaque is left in your mouth, it will harden into an even more dangerous substance called tartar. Tartar isn’t able to be removed from your teeth and gumline with a regular toothbrush. Only your dentist has the tools to effectively clear it from your mouth and prevent oral health problems from worsening.
4 Dental Habits for the New Year
There’s no better resolution to make than one that focuses on your overall wellbeing and health. That’s why committing to implementing these four new dental habits into your daily life is the best promise you can make to yourself in 2020.
- Scheduling routine dental checkups and cleanings will prevent any small oral health problems from becoming more severe and causing permanent oral damage.
- Committing to flossing daily will reduce your risk of developing cavities and keep your breath fresh.
- Watching your sugar and carbohydrate intake will prevent your mouth from becoming an environment that harmful oral bacteria will thrive in.
- Breaking bad oral habits like smoking tobacco and chewing on your nails will prevent excessive wear-and-tear on your teeth and reduce your risk of developing cavities.
These four dental habits can help you feel more confident in your smile in 2020. If you have any questions or want to learn how you can best care for your unique mouth, ask your dentist for recommendations and suggestions. They can provide you with all of the information you need to make the new decade healthier than ever.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Henkel has been serving his community of Philadelphia since 1981. He focuses on providing high-quality and thorough preventive dental care to his patients so they can reduce their risk of developing severe health problems. He has completed a two-year general practice residency that allowed him to gain experience working with patients who were physically, mentally, and medically compromised. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning to kick off the new year, visit Horsham Dental Elements’ website or call 215-672-6666.
