Happy New Year!
Did you make any resolutions this year? Have you kept them so far?
Here are a few resolutions that will not only improve your smile but improve your dental and overall health.
1)
FLOSS! (every day)
“You don’t have to floss all your teeth, only the ones you want to keep”
Floss removes the plaque and bio-film that cannot be removed by brushing alone. As we age the leading cause of tooth loss is not cavities or trauma but gum (periodontal) disease. There are many new tools on the market today designed to make flossing easier including:
Butler GUM Eez-Thru Floss and Soft Picks
Oral B Glide Floss and Picks
2)
EAT HEALTHY
A healthy well balanced diet will not only help keep your teeth and gums healthy but will also improve your overall health by providing you with the essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is much healthier for your teeth then processed foods which tend to be high in sugar.
3)
SEE YOUR DENTIST
A visit to your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis (at least twice a year) allows for potential problems to be prevented and / or new problems to be caught early, often reducing the extent of treatment needed. Most dental problems are not painful until far advanced. Regular check-ups are the key to prevention. In light of recent findings linking gum disease to serious health conditions including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, low birth weight babies, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancers now more than ever a visit to your dental health care team is a resolution worth keeping.