The new year is still in its earliest stages, which means you have time to make a resolution and to craft a plan for sticking with it. Making your dental health a priority this year is a smart resolution, and you can employ some specific strategies for making this resolution become your reality.
Visit the Dentist
The first step to take in improving your dental health is to actually schedule an appointment at the dentist. Making this move can feel intimidating, especially when you haven’t had a dental appointment in some time. Research practitioners in your area to find a dentist who is experienced and compassionate. A dental appointment allows you to have a fresh start in a sense. Furthermore, you can learn about any issues that are manifesting so that you can get started on resolving these potential problems.
Maintain Your Appointments
Going to the dentist one time isn’t enough to totally improve your dental health. What you must do is stick to regularly scheduled appointments. At the conclusion of your first appointment, the receptionist will likely ask you to schedule the next one. Some people like to make the excuse that they need to check their schedules at home first before scheduling an appointment. Instead of making this excuse, you should bring your planner along with you to the dental office so that you can get the appointment date and time scheduled.
Change Your Toothbrush
If you’ve had the same toothbrush hanging out in your bathroom for years, you need to trade it in for a new one. Simply think about all of the germs that could be lingering on an old toothbrush. This image could be enough to convince you to get a new one. Don’t simply grab the cheapest toothbrush that you can find though. Many different types of toothbrushes exist. The best idea is to talk to your dentist about what type of toothbrush is right for you. In fact, when you maintain your regular dental appointments, you might end up getting a new toothbrush for free each time that you visit.
Brush after Meals
When you first wake up in the morning, you might want to immediately grab your toothbrush. While you do need to consult with a dental professional for guidance that is specific to your needs, it is generally fine to brush when you wake up, as long as you are also brushing after breakfast. You need to make sure you are brushing after your meals. Otherwise, you will just have food lingering in your teeth. Make brushing after dinner a part of your nightly routine as well.
Floss Too
Skipping over the floss might feel tempting, especially when it’s late at night and you want to go to sleep. Keep in mind that flossing, even when done correctly, does not need to take a tremendous amount of time. A good way to get flossing into your routine is to integrate the process when you have a bit more time in your day. When you get back to your more hectic days, flossing will already be a regular part of your process.
Watch What You Chew
You have to be careful with your teeth. While you don’t want to get into a state where you are paranoid about every item that you eat, you should be careful about certain foods, especially when your teeth are in a compromised state. For example, you might have a bonded front tooth. In that case, you likely do not want to chomp into an apple with your front teeth. Cut up the fruit instead. Take similar precautions with other foods, such as steaks.
Avoid Certain Substances
In addition to watching what you eat in order to keep your teeth strong, you should also consider certain substances that could damage your teeth. Drinking too much coffee, for example, might leave stains on your teeth. Smoking is another action that can cause harm to your teeth. You should talk with your dentist
Schedule an Orthodontist Visit
In addition to taking care of your teeth on a daily basis and having regular cleanings, you should also finally schedule that appointment at the orthodontist. Of course, your dentist might not have made this recommendation to you. You should not go to the orthodontist unless your regular dentist has said that you may need to do so. On the other hand, you may be one of the many people who has been recommended to an orthodontist but who has not yet picked up the phone to schedule an appointment.
Restore that Shine
A major part of dental hygiene is making sure that your teeth are healthy. You also want to think about the importance of your smile’s appearance. A number of whitening products are available on the market. Depending upon the condition of your teeth, you might want to choose a whitening toothpaste. However, if you have more serious issues with your teeth, you may need to have a professional treatment done. Talking with your dentist is the right way to find the best option for you.
Stick with It
An important part of any resolution is actually sticking with it. After a few weeks or months of following these new routines, you might feel like you want to take a break. You might think that one day away from your routine won’t make a difference. However, consider how quickly one day can quickly turn into two or more days. Staying on the right path will help you to achieve the results that you want.
With 2021 still in its earliest months, you have time to make a resolution. This year make your dental care a major priority. By the time 2022 comes around, you can smile brightly at the progress you’ve made.
