Why not start the new year as you mean to go on, by making a pledge to look after your teeth? Many people often neglect their oral health, only visiting the dentist when it becomes a necessity, so for 2019, make it your resolution to book a regular date with the Oakley Road Dental team. Afterall, January is the perfect time to establish healthy new habits, as its out with the old and in with the new.
Did you know that a staggering 80% of people fail to stick to their new year pledges?
This year why not join the elite 20% with these realistic dental resolutions and achieve your brightest, whitest, healthiest smile yet.
Resolution #1 – maintain a good oral health routine
A good oral and dental hygiene routine can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease and can reduce the risk of more serious health problems such as heart attacks, cancer and diabetes occurring in the future. But with our busy lifestyles a thorough brush often falls to the wayside.
This year why not pledge to brush at least twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste. By constantly brushing the teeth (and tongue) for a total of two minutes, will allow you time to sweep all surfaces. If you can commit to regular flossing too (and we don’t mean the latest dance craze), then not only will your dentist thank you, but your mouth will too.
Resolution #2 – book a hygienist appointment
There are certain areas of the mouth which are difficult to reach, and it doesn’t take long before unsightly plaque builds up around the lower front teeth. If it has been more than 6 months since your last hygienist appointment, then make it a new year resolution to book in to see the lovely Michelle.
Mainly concerned with ‘preventive’ methods, she will show you how to keep your teeth in tip top condition in the fight against the dreaded gum disease. So, if you want to grin instead of grimace next year, then frequent visits to our dental hygienist will keep you free of plaque and tartar deposits.
Resolution #3 – Quit smoking
One of the best things you can do to improve your oral health is to stop smoking. And, with a new year upon us, there’s never been a better time to quit.
Nothing tarnishes teeth worse than tobacco, and smoking – whether it’s a pipe or cigarette – heavily contributes to gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, mouth pain and oral cancer. So, stub it out for good and be a quitter for the right reasons. Not only will you be giving your body a fresh start, but your breath too.
Resolution #4 – a healthier lifestyle
It’s not just smoking that is bad for your teeth, but convenience foods, coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks and sweets all contribute to our dental health issues. It doesn’t matter how much we brush, floss and take care of our teeth, if our diet is poor then our bodies start to suffer.
You don’t need to go on a ‘new-fangled’ diet, become a gym bunny or a fitness freak, you just need to be aware of what you are eating as part of your everyday diet. By decreasing our consumption of sugar, caffeine and refined carbohydrates, and at the same time increasing our water, fruit and leafy green vegetable intake, we start to reduce the risk of developing painful, unsightly, and costly oral issues.
Resolution #5 – Make your teeth shine
Enjoy a brighter start to the year with some teeth whitening. Thanks to our love of coffee, tea and red wine, our once pearly whites can often start to become stained and discoloured. But, when you combine professional teeth whitening with some minor tweaks to your lifestyle and diet, within a matter of weeks you’ll notice a big difference.
Treat yourself to some new year pampering at Oakley Road Dental Practice and indulge in some teeth whitening treatment that is not only safe but effective too.
Resolution #6 – Plan your dental appointments
It’s easy to put off visiting the dentist, especially if your teeth feel healthy and strong. Prevention really is better than cure though, and routine visits to the dentist can help fight against oral gum disease, reveal existing or impending issues and assist you in achieving your brightest smile possible.
We are a friendly bunch at Oakley Road Dental Practice and place our patients at the heart of everything we do. We strive to make visiting us as effortless and stress-free as possible. So, for 2019, don’t put your dental appointments on the back burner, be proactive and book up for the year ahead.
Make 2019 the year for a “fresher” start as you take the opportunity to eliminate bad habits and establish new oral hygiene routines.