It’s been the season to be jolly and we might have found ourselves indulging a little more on our favourite foods and drink. To keep your smile looking fresh whilst still enjoying your favourite treats, why not look to start some positive habits to improve your oral health for the New Year?
First and foremost, brushing your teeth
Repeat the mantra after us – “Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice per day and spit, don’t rinse!” taking care of your smile starts with the solid foundation of keeping up with a daily oral hygiene routine. If you find it tricky to remember to brush your teeth (and don’t worry, some of us have been there!) – why not set a reminder in your phone, or use a habit tracking App? You can download some great ones for free. When you then remember to brush, reward yourself with listening to your favourite song for two minutes whilst you clean your teeth.
Have a great quality tooth brush
We brush our teeth twice a day or more. That’s 14 times a week, 56 times per month and 730 times in a year! It’s is important to have great quality tooth brush throughout the year that’s right for you and your oral health needs. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to advise what type of toothbrush and head is perfect for your smile. Remember as well to change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months – that phone reminder can come in handy again, or why not sign up to a subscription service? The {my}dentist Philips Sonicare plan is a great way to never miss changing your toothbrush again!
Visit the dentist for a regular check up
Going to see your local dentist is a good way to monitor your ongoing oral health. They can detect any under lying problems you may have and make recommendations on how to lower the risk of gum disease and any other conditions.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is great for your overall health! We all know that without H2O our bodies would not function, but did you know that water does a lot as well for our smiles? Water does a wonderful job of washing away any bits of food during and after you are eating, helping to keep your smile fresh and no pesky debris remaining in between your teeth. Recommended intake of water for both men and women is around 2-3 litres a day, so keep drinking!
Let’s do the floss!
Did you know that cleaning in between your teeth is just as important as brushing them? By cleaning interdentally either with floss, a brush or flossing device (such as a water or air flosser), we’re making sure we’re keeping all surfaces of the tooth clean.
A helping hand
If you have crowded or crooked teeth it can make keeping them clean trickier, as you might not be able to get to all the surfaces to clean them effectively. Down the line this could cause oral health issues such as gum disease or tooth decay. Straightening your smile can help alleviate this problem and make it much easier to keep your teeth clean. Clear braces are a great way to do this as they are quick, discreet and convenient – book in for a quick chat over the phone or video call with our {my}smile team to see what they can do for you and claim your free consultation with one of our registered dentists at your local practice.