False Teeth - Making the Right Choices

A New Year, A New You And A New Smile: 4 Dental-Related New Year's Resolutions For 2017

The new year is just around the corner, so it's time to consider what New Year's resolutions you will be making this year. More often than not, people make resolutions about exercising more, losing weight and saving money. This year, though, why not try something a little different? How about you making New Year's resolutions that are related to improving your oral health? Here are four resolutions that will help you start down a path toward a healthier, brighter smile:

1. Start Brushing More Often.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says that you should brush your teeth a minimum of twice each day. In addition, the organization recommends that each brushing session last for approximately two minutes to ensure that all the bacteria and plaque build-up is thoroughly removed from your teeth. If you are not currently brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, it's time to figure out a way to make this happen. The easiest way is to do it once in the morning and once at bedtime.

2. Switch to Sugar-Free Gum.

Since it is difficult to brush your teeth during the middle of the day, such as after lunch at work or school, you need to find other alternatives to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. One way to do this is to chew gum, but you don't want to put just any kind of gum in your mouth. Research shows that sugar-free gum has specific benefits to your oral health, including the ability to reduce acid levels. High levels of acid in the mouth can have a negative effect on your tooth enamel. The way in which the acid levels are reduced is due to the increased production of saliva, which helps to "wash away" the acid as well as any left-behind food particles in the mouth. Just remember that you should never replace the chewing of sugar-free gum with brushing and flossing.

3. Schedule a Checkup with Your Dentist.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth, your general dentist will always know best. So, you should schedule and keep your regular checkups so that dental issues are identified early on and sometimes even prevented. Ultimately, by visiting your dentist regularly, your smile remains in good shape for many years to come.

4. Get a Cosmetic Dentistry Procedureā€¦or Two.

Even if you have been given a clean bill of health from your dentist, you can always see a cosmetic dentist to improve your smile. You may want to consider tooth whitening products to enhance the color of your teeth. This can be done with at-home products or in the office. Alternatively, depending on your tooth structure and the health of your teeth, you may want to consider restorative dental work, such as fillings, crowns or implants. This type of work can help to maintain the alignment of your teeth and restore your smile to its original beauty.


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