A healthy smile is a powerful thing. Not only can it save you money in the long run, but it can also boost your confidence and help you make a great first impression. Now that 2021 has arrived, you can begin chipping away at your New Year’s Resolutions. No matter what is on your list, why not add ways to improve your teeth and gums? If you need help getting started, this article will share four tips you can use to take charge of your oral health and be well on your way to achieving a show-stopping smile.
Keep Your Dental Appointments
Life can get busy. Between work, school, sporting events, and everything else in-between, it doesn’t take much to become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of day-to-day life. As a result, you may find yourself stretched too thin, rescheduling and canceling important appointments designed to improve your oral and overall health and wellbeing. Avoid putting your dental visits off and instead, plug the date and time into your phone’s calendar so you won’t forget. This time spent with your dentist will help keep your teeth and gums in better shape throughout the year, minimizing your risk for decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and bad breath.
Start Incorporating Healthier Foods into Your Diet
If you’re still stuck on sweets and starches, it’s time to make a change. Continuing to eat foods that offer no nutritional value will only cause you to feel sluggish and fatigued. Not to mention, your waistline will expand, your health will decline, and your smile will be negatively impacted. Swapping out sugar and carbs for low-fat dairy, leafy greens, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables will strengthen your tooth enamel, improve your gum health, and give your body the nutrients it needs for daily energy.
Consider Orthodontics to Straighten Your Smile
The thought of wearing braces may not seem like a great idea, but nowadays, you don’t have to necessarily resort to traditional metal brackets and wires. Instead, you can talk to your dentist about Invisalign. These clear aligners can quickly and easily realign your teeth and bite, giving you something to really smile about in the end. Without compromising your daily appearance, you can achieve a healthier, more aesthetically pleasing appearance in just 12-18 months!
Start Flossing…Regularly
It is great that your brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash, but are you flossing regularly? If the answer is “no,” get ready to make dental floss your new best friend. By incorporating it into your oral hygiene routine, you are not only saying you’re committed to the process, but you’re taking one more step toward better oral health by removing harmful bacteria from in-between your teeth. This can reduce your risk for gum disease and cavities that can form in the crevices of your smile.
By using these tips, you can make 2021 the year for a newer, healthier smile.
About the Author
Dr. Amy Farrell has more than a decade of experience working in the field of dentistry. Graduating from the University of Maryland Dental School with her doctorate, she completed a General Practice Residency at Abington Memorial Hospital. Focusing on general and cosmetic dentistry, she and the team at NeoSmile Dental Care work hard to provide patients with optimal preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. By detecting and treating problems early on, Dr. Farrell can put teeth and gums on the right track, giving patients a chance for a healthier, fully functioning smile. If you need help identifying ways you can improve your oral health in 2021, contact us at (215) 643-5220.
