Oral Health Tips for the New Year

Three guidelines for a healthy mouth in 2021.

2020 Has been a rough year for just about everyone. From wildfires in Australia and much of the Western US to the COVID-19 pandemic, things haven’t been easy. Many people across the world aren’t working thanks to quarantine measures, and it was an election year to boot. Well, let’s hope that 2021 is a better year with better things on the way.

If we want to make 2021 better change needs to start from within, so we have made a nice list of good practices to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth nice and healthy this year. The last thing you want to deal with is whatever 2021 has planned is an oral health emergency.

Improve your brushing and flossing habits

As we get older and set in our ways, it’s easy for some important bits of self-care to go out the window. There is no better time than the beginning of a new year to get back into the proper habits of dental hygiene. So, what should you do to ensure your brushing and flossing is ideal?

Tooth Brushing

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
• Brush for about 3 minutes total.
• Brush the surface of your teeth in a circular motion.
• Use a pea-sized bit of toothpaste. Not the giant wavy thing that’s always shown in dental ads.
• For more specifics, check out this video brought to you by the American Dental Association.

Flossing

Plenty of people don’t floss at all or have fallen out of the proper habits. In case you are one of them, or your flossing has just become lazy, here is a refresher.

• Floss once per day, before bedtime is best. That way the debris it clears loose doesn’t decompose in your mouth overnight.
• Use about 18 inches of floss, wrap each loose end around either index figure several times.
• Hold it tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Bring it into the gap between two teeth, gently bring the floss down between one of the teeth and the gums,
• Make a C shape with the floss around the tooth and slowly bring it out.
• Repeat the process for each side of each gap between the teeth.
• Don’t forget the backside of the last tooth.

Eat healthy

It’s New Years anyway, why not combine a few health resolutions? Anyone who is a regular at the gym knows how many people make up their minds to get healthy this year. Januaries are always strangely busy at gyms, yoga studios, tracks, and outdoor sports fields (tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields)…the list goes on.

Eating healthy is a super great way to get back in shape. Exercise matters significantly less if your diet doesn’t match. We will list some nice healthy foods that are great for your teeth.

Greens, greens, greens

Broccoli, spinach, lettuce, kale, and just about any green vegetable is fantastic for you. On top of being loaded with vitamins and minerals, chewing these veg and their high water content promote tooth health. The chewing produces saliva which helps rinse the mouth out after eating. This in turn can wash away bacteria and debris attached to the teeth. For some more depth, check out our guide to healthy holiday eating (let’s face it, you probably have some leftovers).

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits, and just about every kind of veg are high in vitamin C, which promotes gum health, and vitamin A, which benefits the enamel. They are also high in water content and require chewing — which stimulates saliva flow.

Lean meats

Poultry, fish, and lean red meats are high in phosphorus. This mineral is great for your teeth and promotes bone strength as well. The proteins and vitamins in meats also help the body absorb other helpful minerals.

Cheese and dairy

Rich in calcium and protein, dairy is a fantastic addition to your diet.

Plenty of water

Of course, water is one of the best things you can consume regularly. Water helps keep the mouth clean and has a few other benefits. Drinking water can help neutralize the acidity in the mouth and thus fight against tooth staining and gum disease.

What to avoid

• Sugary anything is bad for you. Candies, dried fruit, soda, the list goes on.
• Acidic beverages like red wine and coffee are two of the worst offenders when it comes to tooth staining.
• Heavily-processed foods such as frozen dinners, fast food, and the like are high in sugars and salts. These foods wear away at the enamel.

Schedule a regular dental check-up

Maybe you haven’t been to the dentist in a while. Well, 2021 can be the year that changes. Try to visit a dentist at least twice a year for a check-up. This way, big problems like cavities and gum disease can be spotted early, or better yet, prevented altogether. If you happen to live in the Carrollton Texas area, or you are here for the holidays, schedule an appointment with Josey Lane Dentistry. One reason many don’t visit a dentist is the lack of insurance coverage. If this fits your description, send us a message we are happy to help you

. Good luck with your oral health this year, and happy 2021!