Not only have we recently entered a new year, but we have also begun a new decade. This turns many people’s minds to setting themselves resolutions such as exercising more, eating healthier and generally taking better care of themselves. At Park Place Dental Practice we think there is no better place to start with your health and wellbeing resolutions than aiming for a healthier smile! When you have confidence in your smile you are more likely to share it when you meet a new person or potential partner, make a group presentation or interview for the job of your dreams!
You can also take initial steps yourself, with the following suggestions that will help you in your resolution to achieve a healthy happy smile. Our team can also carry out a “Smile Assessment” and advise on treatments that can help further improve your dental appearance and help you to achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile.
Brush Thoroughly
If you’ve never timed yourself while brushing your teeth, try it! Most people are often surprised at the short amount of time they actually spend brushing their teeth. Aim for at least two minutes, twice a day – morning and night.
Floss Every Day
If you don’t floss, you’re missing out on cleaning a large area of your teeth. Only flossing will effectively remove trapped food particles from between your teeth and the other areas where your toothbrush can’t reach. Dental tapes or flossing brushes are both effective.
Get Regular Check-ups
Ensuring you attend regular check-ups enables your dentist to spot things like plaque build-up or early-stage decay, allowing them to carry out minimal treatment before things become more serious or painful, which is also much more cost-effective for you!
Review Your Habits
Cigarettes and alcohol aren’t just bad for our organs, they have a detrimental impact on the teeth, mouth, and gums! The results often being tooth staining and an increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer. If these habits have already caused permanent damage to your teeth, we’d be happy to discuss tooth whitening and cosmetic improvements with you, to restore your smile and set you back on the road to good oral health.
Reduce Your Sugar Intake
Not only will reducing your sugar intake be good for your waistline and overall general health, it is good for reducing tooth decay as well. If you have the occasional sweet treat, try to stick to eating at mealtimes rather than snacking in between. This will limit the amount of time your teeth come under an acid attack from the sugars, and allows the body sufficient time to re-mineralise and harden the enamel again. There are also lots of options when it comes to tooth-healthy snacks. Why not try carrots, celery and apple sticks – their crunch and texture give teeth an extra brush as well. Cheese, yoghurt and plain (unsalted) nuts are all rich in calcium and can actually help to repair our tooth enamel too.
So start working on your healthier smile now, you won’t regret it! We look forward to seeing you and helping you to look after your teeth during 2020 and beyond.
