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PUBLISHED ON 16/12/21
The new year is here and now is the perfect time to set new goals that are sure to keep your smile sparkling throughout the year. So we’ve put together a list of our favourite and most simple tips to keep not only your teeth healthy but help maintain your overall health as well.
We’ve all heard this time and time again – drink water. The magical – and widely available – elixir is the secret to staying healthy. It regulates your body temperature, protects your tissues, spinal cord and joints, prevents constipation, aids in digestion, helps with nutrient absorption, improves blood oxygen circulation, aids in cognitive function and produces saliva, among other things. For oral health, water washes away any tooth decay-causing bacteria acquired during meals and from drinking sugary drinks. Try not to add lemon to your water, as the high pH in lemon juice can cause your gums and teeth enamel to erode. If you like a bit of lemon juice in your water, try to drink it through a straw to avoid the acid touching your teeth.
Make it a New Year’s resolution to reduce the amount of sugary drinks you have – this is especially important for children – including soft drinks, fruit juices and sports drinks. These drinks are acidic, and their high pH – like lemon water – can alter the pH of your mouth and erode your teeth. This rule applies to ‘low sugar’ and ‘zero sugar’ soft drinks. So, do your smile a favour and remove these drinks from your diet.
This is probably our top and most ignored tip! Brushing your teeth isn’t 100% effective in removing all the gunk found between them. In fact, simply brushing your teeth leaves behind 40% of the food debris. Make flossing simple; keep some floss in your bag, in your car or just on the counter so you can do it whenever you have time.
This is the year that you finally quit smoking. You can do it. We believe in you. Among the hundreds of health implications of cigarette smoking and tobacco, in general, is tooth decay, gum disease and extensive staining. If that is not enough motivation, think about the money you’ll save when you quit.
January is the perfect time to hit the restart button – this includes a refresh on your smile. Come in and complete the recommended dental work – such as crowns, implants and fillings – that we know you’ve been putting off for months. Now’s the time. Not only will it help you maintain oral hygiene, but it can also preserve your tooth structure and allow proper tooth alignment.
Let’s be honest, the last couple of years have been rough, to say the least. We’ve seen an increase in stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. This often translates to teeth grinding, leading to headaches, soreness in your jaw, pain in your teeth, and fracture surfaces on your teeth. So come visit us for a consultation so we can provide a simple solution.
Use the new year as an excuse to clean up your diet. Not only will you feel fantastic, but your teeth will thank you. In 2022, to keep your smile gleaming, cut back on sugar to reduce tooth decay, consume more dairy products to strengthen your teeth and eat more fibrous foods to help remove plaque and other food stuck in your teeth.
We often recommend our patients see us at least once a year for a check-up and teeth cleaning. This isn’t just because we love seeing your gorgeous smiles, but it ensures that your teeth are healthy year-round. Not only would a teeth cleaning allow us to clean out all the nook and crannies, but it allows us to assess your teeth and identify issues before they become major (and expensive) problems. So even if your teeth feel fine, it’s best to come in for a check-up.
At Maidstone Dental, we want to ensure you start the year right by removing any habits that may affect your oral health. Take our top tips to ensure you have a perfect smile throughout the year.
