I hope that everyone in your family is enjoying this holiday season! As we approach the end of 2021 and about to welcome in hopefully a much better year many think of resolutions that focus on wellness and improving quality of life. It is wonderful to include some resolutions to that list that will benefit your oral health.
Here are 5 New Years resolutions you can include for a healthy smile:
1. Take a full 2 minutes to brush
Experst didn’t just pluck that number out of thin air. Studies show that brushing for a full two minutes can really boost your oral health. Tooth decay happens thanks to plaque, a bacteria-laden film. These bacteria produce acid that eats away at your enamel, the hard outer covering on your teeth. They can also damage your gums and cause gingivitis.
Brushing your teeth for two minutes leads to a much greater reduction in plaque than brushing for one minute. This evidence is clearly shown in a 2012 review of 59 papers published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, on average, people who brushed for one minute removed about 27 percent of plaque vs. people brushed for two minutes, they removed around 41 percent of the plaque on their teeth, so almost twice as much!
2. Brush at least twice daily
Yes, in the case of proper oral hygene the magic number is “2”. Just like brushing for two minutes, you should brush your teeth twice a day and again the reason is in the research.
A 2016 systematic review of 33 articles published in Journal of Dental Research found that brushing less than two times a day was associated with more tooth decay than brushing twice a day.
3. Cut down liquid sugars such as pop and juice
What you drink has a big impact on your oral health. When you drink a liquid, you’re essentially bathing your teeth in that beverage. And many drinks pose a risk to your dental health. Fruit juice contains a high amount of sugar as well can be quite acidic. The sugar promotes the growth of bacteria in your mouth increasing your chance of decay and the acid can cause serious damage to your tooth enamel.
4. Straighten up. Straight teeth are easier to clean and bare less stress
Orthodontic treatment is mainly associated with teenagers, but many adults are now choosing to straighten their teeth and this is a wonderful decision for many reasons. One big reason is that misaligned teeth allow for your teeth to create excess hiding spaces for harmful bacteria. Crooked teeth may make it difficult to thoroughly brush and floss. Ineffective brushing and flossing increases your chances of plaque and tartar buildup. Over time, that plaque and tartar can create decay that can cause cavities and gum disease. Without treatment, both tooth decay and gum disease can progress into quite serious issues.
Straight Teeth can also alleviate headaches and neck and jaw pain caused by pressure due to misaligned teeth.
It is also a big way to build confidence. When you feel proud of your smile that confidence spills into other areas of your life.
5. Floss or use other oral care aids like soft pics and floss treaders
Despite a report in 2016 which suggested there was insufficient evidence to prove the health benefits of flossing, dental experts still continue to support flossing as a part of a healthy routine.
Even when you brush twice a day for 2 minutes there are still areas your toothbrush can’t reach including the gum line in between your teeth. Flossing and ensuring that your remove debris (such as food and plaque) in between teeth can not only help prevent gum disease and reduce cavities, it can also help eliminate bad breath.
It is also extremely beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes to floss since they are three times more likely to develop gingivitis (the beginning stage of gum disease).
Make it Routine!
Once you make anything routine (like getting dressed and eating breakfast), it becomes simple and something you don’t have to really think about. Most tooth decay is preveantable and a healthy mouth is an excellent way to ward off other medical problems. The benefits of a proper oral hygene routine are massive and it’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself.
So we at Harmony Dental Studio are raising a glass and toasting the New Year with all of you! Cheers to year full of happiness, success and lots of healthy smiles!
