Or perhaps you're planning on getting healthier. If health is high on your list of resolutions, why not take it one step further and add improving your dental health as well?
Quit Tobacco Products
Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your health in general, but they can have specific effects on your mouth. Tobacco products increase your risk for gum disease and tooth decay. Your risk for developing oral cancer, which has a very low survival rate if caught late, is also greatly increased.Limit Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages, like smoking, affect all parts of your body, including your mouth. It raises your risk for developing gum disease and tooth decay. This is because it can cause dry mouth. Saliva is the mouth's natural defense against oral bacteria, containing proteins that kill the invaders as it washes them away. Without it, your mouth becomes the perfect breeding ground.
Eat Foods for a Healthy Mouth
The foods you eat play a big role in your oral health. Not only do they provide the nutrients your mouth and body need to stay healthy, they come in direct contact with your teeth and gums. Hard, crunchy fruits and vegetables also have the added benefit of scrubbing your teeth as you eat them and stimulating saliva production. You should also make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Let's face it: sometimes, oral hygiene just isn't that high on your list of important things to do. You may skip a brushing here and there, forgo flossing for a few weeks or skip out on visiting your dentist. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is key to keeping your mouth healthy. Resolve to brush at least twice a day, floss every day and visit your dentist at least twice a year.This New Year's, when you promise to get healthier, include taking care of your mouth in that resolution. Your teeth, gums and your whole body will be grateful you did.
Please contact our office if you have any questions about your oral health.
