2020 is finally over! Although all the problems of last year aren’t completely gone, there seems to be hope on the horizon. With a new year comes the possibility of improvement. After a year like 2020, you almost need an easy win, but perhaps you’re also looking for a beneficial challenge that will improve your quality of life. Here’s the perfect New Year’s resolution for you: achieving and keeping a healthy smile. In this post, you’ll learn simple ways you can reach this goal, like visiting your dentist near East Quogue.
Two Minutes of Brushing
You likely already brush your teeth every day, but do you do it for a full two minutes twice a day? When your schedule is packed, it can be tempting to cut your time short on brushing your teeth. However, if you do this, you may not be cleaning your teeth as thorough as you need to. Sticky, white plaque only stays that way for a few hours before it starts to harden into tartar, which is much harder to remove. Give your teeth a full two minutes at the beginning and end of every day to prevent buildup.
Add in Flossing
Did you know that even those who thoroughly brush their teeth manage to clean only 65 percent of their mouths? The bristles can’t reach in between teeth, where plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate. Flossing before you go to bed helps you remove bits of food and plaque that may have been left behind from brushing.
Limit Sugar and Carb Intake
If you’ve ever tried a New Year’s diet in the past, you soon realized that cutting back on carbs and sugar can be easier said than done. However, sugary treats can be harmful for both your oral and overall health. They encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, particularly those bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. When you consume less sugar and high-carb foods, you keep oral bacteria under firmer control and lower your risk of facing these issues.
Go to the Dentist Regularly
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to keep this New Year’s resolution is to visit your dentist on a regular basis. During these visits, you simply lay back while they check your mouth for any concerning problems, such as periodontal disease. If they discover something, they can treat it before it becomes worse and causes more damage. Also, tartar and plaque buildup is removed during your cleaning, which lessens the risk of having serious dental problems in the future.
Although it wouldn’t take much to make 2021 a better year, you can make a huge difference in your well-being by taking control of your oral health. Through little habits and good choices, you can keep smiling no matter what the new year brings your way.
About the Practice
Beach Dental has been serving patients from East Quogue and other neighboring communities for more than 20 years. Dr. Jason Parli and Dr. Alexis Gersten have a dedicated team of professionals who genuinely care about giving patients a comfortable, beneficial visit every time they come. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, you can contact Beach Dental by calling 631-325-0731 or clicking here.