New Year’s Resolution: An Oral Detox Plan
While embarking on the new year, resolutions
can be hard to keep. You should avoid making a long list of things you hope to
change overnight and focus more on short-term goals with reasonable deadlines
that are more likely to succeed. The same applies to your oral health routine.
If you start with an easy-to-do oral detox plan, you’ll soon begin healthier
habits and start a better routine that leads to far healthier teeth.
Products
If you haven’t already, find a toothpaste and
other oral healthcare products that fit your needs and stock up. If you don’t
switch out your toothbrush as often as you should, load up on brushes. Having
another brush on hand makes them easier to replace. For extended trips, keep a
few disposable brushes handy. These are great if you are always on the go.
Again, whatever fits your needs, focus on that product. Also, some people
struggle to floss regularly, so try to keep more flossing materials on hand to encourage
better habits and fewer excuses.
Technique
Double check your oral health technique to get
the proper results from your oral hygiene products. It defeats the purpose of
finding a product that fits your needs if it’s not used correctly. To reduce the
risk of tooth decay and gum disease, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
While brushing, make sure to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and use short
back and forth strokes on the surface of all teeth.
Then, brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper,
making sure to floss at least once. Slide the floss carefully between teeth
with a back and forth motion. Curve the floss around each tooth in the process,
and use only clean sections as you go around each tooth.
Habits
Everyday habits can either help or harm your
oral health. Too much sugar, for instance, can make your teeth more vulnerable
to tooth decay. For example, if you chew gum often that’s high in sugar or drink
lots of coffee with cream and sugar, such habits may catch up to you and your
gums.
Aim for more sugar free products or use them
less frequently. When your teeth are exposed to this kind of substance for long
periods, you are exposing them to potential acid attacks. This also increases
your risk of tooth decay. Instead of stocking your fridge with soda and juice,
replace them with milk and water to encourage better habits and counteract
acids.
Appointments
To help you with your goals, consult a dental
professional. Dentists can examine your teeth and do proper screenings to
provide a better idea of your progress. Schedule a routine checkup or cleaning.
Professional cleanings can help remove tartar you can’t get with a toothbrush.
Appointments are great for taking care of
minor problems before they become severe. Before leaving your dentist’s office,
schedule your next appointment so you don’t forget or put it off. Just by doing
these few things, new habits will soon become second nature and help you reap
benefits in the future.
Is the cost of dental care keeping you from
starting your dental care routine? Did you know that you can save as much as 20
percent off your dental bills with the Wellness Dental Plan? We offer individual discount dental plans
as well as plans for your family and small
business owners. For more information, click here.
