As the New Year approaches, you’ll likely start thinking about making New Year’s resolutions. Common ones involve saving money, losing weight, or practicing more self-care. Living a healthier lifestyle is a great goal to have. But what most people don’t factor into those goals is their oral health. 

Making a New Year’s resolution is like making a promise to yourself to start a good (or stop a bad) habit. Your oral health plays a pivotal role in your overall well-being, so it benefits you to focus on improving your dental habits. Consider keeping your commitment simple and manageable to ensure you don’t forget about it by Valentine’s Day. 

New Year’s resolutions to improve your oral health. 

You can commit to improving your oral health any time of the year. However, there’s something about a fresh start with a new year that makes it more appealing for kids and adults. 

Commit to a consistent oral hygiene routine.

You know you’re supposed to brush and floss daily. Unfortunately, many people falter in these habits, and it often ends the same—tooth decay or gum disease. 

Routinely brushing for two minutes and flossing removes sticky plaque from your teeth. Plaque is filled with harmful bacteria that harm your teeth and lead to bleeding gums and periodontal disease. Because oral infections can affect the rest of your body, developing a good oral hygiene routine can help protect your overall health. 

Instead of creating a resolution to floss daily, start small and increase the regularity until it becomes a habit. Before you know it, you’ll tell other people how important it is to floss! 

Schedule regular dental checkups.

By routinely seeing a good dentist near Wasilla for cleanings and exams, you can prevent future dental health problems. When your dentist detects cavities and other conditions early, they are less likely to cause discomfort. It also can mean less invasive and less expensive procedures. 

For example, cavities typically don’t cause pain until they reach the middle of the tooth, where the nerves are. When the decay is this extensive, sometimes a filling cannot repair the problem. Instead, you may need a root canal and a dental crown. 

Regular dental evaluations allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and detect concerning areas before they become serious issues. Simply put, preventing the problem is cheaper than fixing it. 

Quit Tobacco Use

Quitting tobacco use is a common New Year’s resolution. People understand how harmful smoking is to your overall health, but sometimes, it’s challenging to let old habits die.

Using tobacco products is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth and gums. It causes cavities, tooth discoloration, and gum disease. Tobacco use is also connected to lung, throat, and oral cancer. 

Ending this bad habit is one of the most challenging resolutions. But it’s one of the best to make and keep. Get support from your family, friends, and dental team. Try replacing your tobacco product with sugar-free chewing gum that stimulates saliva flow and removes bacteria. 

Reduce Sugar Consumption 

Eating a well-balanced diet is essential for your dental health. Some people include plenty of fruits and vegetables in their diets but follow up by consuming sugary snacks and drinks. These treats are your teeth’s worst enemy! Your mouth breaks down the sugar, producing acids that attack your enamel and cause tooth decay.  

Aim to limit your sugar intake this year by making simple swaps:

• Replace soda and energy drinks with water (add sliced fruit for flavor)
• Skip adding sugar to your coffee and tea
• Chew sugar-free gum 

Having the occasional sweet treat is okay, but don’t sip or snack on it all day. After your sweet snack or beverage, rinse your mouth with water. The water will help wash away the sugar and acid to protect against tooth decay.  

Explore cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile. 

Find the best dentist in Wasilla and learn about cosmetic dental procedures. These treatments enhance your smile by restoring decayed, missing, or damaged teeth. Each option addresses different concerns, and a cosmetic dentist can help you choose a suitable treatment.

Some of the most sought-after cosmetic dental procedures that can transform your smile include: 

• Teeth whitening 
• Composite fillings
• Veneers 
• Dental bonding
• Bioclear
• Crowns 
• Clear aligner therapy 

Seeking cosmetic dental treatment will help this year’s New Year’s resolution last for many years!  

Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Don’t let yourself fall short of your goals this year. Think about what you want to accomplish and set specific goals. If you commit to improving your oral health, what dental office will you visit? What habit do you want to improve? 

Find someone to help keep you accountable, and give it time. Making something a habit takes approximately 66 days, so be patient with yourself.  

Begin your new oral health journey with Valley Dental Clinic. 

Do you want a healthier smile this New Year? The Valley Dental Clinic team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.