New Year, New You, New Smile

Happy New Year! Many of us will be starting some sort of healthy eating or exercise regime to kick start 2017 but have any of you considered your TEETH? Making simple changes to your dental routine this year could set you up for a lifetime of healthier teeth and a happier you.  Here are some simple New Year’s dental suggestions which will help you to achieve your goal of a sparkling smile and help boost your confidence!

Change your toothbrush. Can you remember when you last changed your toothbrush? They should be changed at least every 3 months to ensure that the bristles are removing plaque effectively.  This applies to both manual and electric toothbrushes.  If you are currently using a manual, have you considered swapping to an electric toothbrush?  Not only are they better at cleaning those hard to reach areas but people tend to not brush so hard with them thereby causing less damage to the outer layer of your tooth.  This is definitely a win-win situation!

Brush twice a day.  Brushing your teeth twice daily not only ensures the removal of plaque thereby preventing both decay and gum disease but those 2 minutes of brushing both morning and night can literally help save your life!  Numerous studies have shown that good dental care can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes to name a few. Regular brushing can also help save you money; prevention is not only better but more more cost effective than cure.  Regular dental care isn’t actually that expensive but neglecting your teeth is!

Floss daily. This is probably one of the best things that you can do to improve your overall dental health. Although tricky to begin with, bleeding gums will soon be a thing of the past once you have mastered the technique. Cleaning in between the teeth is essential to help prevent gum disease which can lead to loss of teeth.  Our hygienists are the perfect people to show you how to do this effectively.

Visit the dentist twice a year. Regular dental visits are essential to not only maintain healthy teeth but to detect and quickly treat any issues before they progress further.  If you also have any outstanding dental treatment, now is the time to bite the bullet and make an appointment before that tooth gets any worse! Remember, leaving any dental treatment until the last minute can be the difference between saving a tooth and having a tooth taken out!

Quit smoking. This is probably at the top of many peoples New Year’s resolutions but not only is smoking responsible for yellow teeth and bad breath but it's also the leading cause of mouth cancer and gum disease.  Plus kicking the habit ensures that you are kissable at any time!

Cut down on sugar. This is one of the hardest ones to tackle especially for me.  Who doesn’t love a chocolate bar or a cream bun?!  It’s not only the amount of sugar than you eat but also how often.  Sugar in your diet reacts with the bacteria in plaque producing harmful acids which dissolve the outer layer of your teeth.  Each “acid attack” can last up to one hour after eating and drinking.  Several acid attacks can lead to holes developing in your teeth (decay) and that’s when you require a filling. Try to limit your sugar intake and if you are indulging your sweet tooth, it’s best to do this after a meal.

Find a good Dental Plan.  As previously mentioned, regular dental care isn’t expensive but when you neglect your oral health, problems will occur and they can be costly to fix.  With Denplan, you can budget your dental care on a monthly basis and therefore will never be hit with a substantial bill at the end of treatment.  Denplan also includes twice yearly dentist and hygienist visits so you will have no excuse for less than perfect teeth!

Most importantly....SMILE! The act of smiling can have both short and long term health benefits.  Smiling not only helps elevate our own mood but it’s also contagious and can help cheer up those around you making you feel even better! Smiling also helps make you look younger and more attractive.  Your smile is one of the first things that others will notice so if it is less than perfect, make 2017 the year that you improve both it and you!

Dental Care Dundonald wishes everyone the best of luck in fulfilling all your resolutions and if anyone would like a free consultation with any of our dentists please contact the practice and our reception team will be happy to help you.

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