As the end of the year is rapidly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and goals we want to accomplish in 2022. Of course, getting healthier is something people always tend to put on their list. Although this may typically mean signing up for a gym membership or eating more veggies, there’s another critical aspect of your health you might be forgetting: your teeth! Here are some healthy dental habits to work on forming in the new year so you can be your best self.
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Brushing: At Least Twice Daily
The purpose of brushing is to disrupt plaque biofilm and remove food from your teeth. At a minimum, you should be brushing at least twice a day. Is it great to be brushing after every meal? Yes, but that’s not something that is sustainable for everyone. As long as you are brushing in the morning and at night, you’re on your way to building healthy dental habits. Having an electric toothbrush with built-in timers is also a good way to form the habit of brushing your teeth and for the proper amount of time.
Brushing at night before you go to bed removes most of the food and other substances you’ve put on your teeth during the day. Brushing in the morning helps to break up the plaque biofilm that’s been on your teeth overnight. When you sleep, you’re not salivating or moving your tongue around as much, so the plaque biofilm basically sits on your teeth. That’s why it’s essential to break up the plaque both at night and in the morning. However, brushing after every meal is a great habit to try to achieve if you want to do the most for your dental health.
Do You Need to Wait After Eating Before Brushing?
If you’re going to eat something really acidic, like an orange, then you might want to allow some time between eating and brushing your teeth or thoroughly rinse with water before brushing. But otherwise, if you’re just eating normal food, you can quickly swish water around in your mouth and then brush.
Flossing: Once a Day
We recommend flossing or cleaning between your teeth at least once a day. Whether you use traditional floss, a Waterpik, or another device, anything that’s going to get in between the teeth to break up that plaque biofilm and remove food is going to be effective. It can be in the morning, at night, or any other time of the day, as long as you do it at least once daily.
Dental Appointments: Twice a Year
Most patients need to visit the dentist at least twice a year, although some might need to come in more often than that. For example, if they have periodontal disease or heavy tartar buildup, they may need to come in more often than every six months. Scheduling dental appointments regularly for cleanings and checkups is important not only for removing tough built-on plaque and biofilm that you can’t remove with a toothbrush at home, but it also allows us to look for any cavities.
When they’re smaller, cavities are easier and less expensive to treat. However, if we don’t see a patient for a couple of years or even one year, those small cavities can become bigger problems that involve more treatment and higher costs. We also do oral cancer screenings at each visit, which is an important precautionary measure.
Switch to Sugar-Free
Sugar-filled products like sodas, juices, candies, mints, or gum are the primary culprits of causing cavities. So people who have those habits end up with more cavities than someone who does not. On the other hand, chewing sugar-free gum or using sugar-free mints can help prevent cavities by stimulating saliva to wash away plaque. Using products containing xylitol, which is a common ingredient in sugar-free gum or mints, can also help fight tooth decay to keep cavity-causing bacteria at bay.
Don’t Just Form Healthy Dental Habits; Kick Bad Ones!
Along with consuming sugary products, smoking is one of the most detrimental habits that can negatively impact your dental health. Fingernail biting is another bad habit to kick. Additionally, older children still using pacifiers or sucking their thumb should be encouraged to stop, as these repetitive routines affect the way the teeth will form together.
Following these simple guidelines will have you on your way to building healthy dental habits and improving your wellbeing over the coming year!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.