Time to share our favorite oral health resolutions for this year! Year after year “Health” resolutions are at the top of almost everyone’s list for areas of improvement. This New Year is no different as many of us are contemplating how we can make this year even better than the last.
Most of us set goals to exercise more, lose weight, eat healthier and take a more active approach to health. It’s great that so many people set their health to be a top priority when starting the year, but statistics tell us less than 10% of New Year’s Resolutions are ever met!
We want to share some oral health resolutions to get you on track to a healthier 2019.
Risk of Tooth Decay
One of the first habits we recommend trying to quit is snacking. When you are constantly snacking it can cause an increase in acidity in your oral cavity. Increased acidity increases your risk of tooth decay causing cavities and other damage.
If you suffer from frequent snack attacks, try your best to stick to healthy options. Practice packing your own snacks when your out of the house to help prevent the inevitable afternoon indulgence.
Healthy Ideas while snacking on the go:
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Low Sugar Proteins or Snack Bar
- Vegetables (Carrot, Celery, etc.)
- Apples
- Plain Yogurt
- Hummus
Don’t forget to drink water!!! Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water daily, for those who can’t brush on the go, a little swish with water is always better than nothing at all!
20% Never Floss!
Let’s discuss the one thing everyone loves to discuss at the dentist: Flossing! Your dentist is devoted to making sure your oral health is their number one priority. Only 4 of 10 Americans floss daily, and a whopping 20% never floss!
Flossing is a quick and simple addition to any routine. It is easiest to incorporate flossing into your routine when you include it with brushing your teeth. A good flossing routine only takes 2-3 minutes per night (or morning) and can have a tremendous impact on oral health. Periodontal disease is very preventable with a good flossing routine and regular dental visits.
Our goal is to see that all of our patients have excellent oral health but you can’t expect to improve your oral health without changing your habits. If conventional flossing just isn’t for you, we recommend talking to your hygienist about alternatives at your next appointment.
Evaluating Habits that you can Modify
We hope that you seize this year and try to beat the grand goal to “Be Healthier” by evaluating habits that you can modify, add or quit for a better chance of success.
Consider making changes that we haven’t covered; quitting tobacco use, limiting added sugar or any other small change. We are here to help you on a journey to a healthier you! Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!
References/Resources
Entrepreneur – https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306400
Colgate – https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/brushing-and-flossing/ada-10-survey-finds-shortcomings-in-americans-dental-health-habits