Are you like millions of Americans who start out the new year with ambitious goals? There’s nothing wrong with wanting to accomplish something significant in 2024, but that doesn’t mean you have to shoot for the moon and choose something impractical. For instance, you can set a worthy goal to have a healthier smile!
How can you achieve this resolution, and perhaps even other goals too, this year? Implement the following into your lifestyle.
Brush and Floss Daily
If you care at all about your health or hygiene, chances are that you already brush your teeth. You may even do it twice every day! But do you floss? Only about 30 percent of the American population flosses daily, but this habit plays a significant role in keeping hard deposits from forming on teeth. As a result, you can avoid tooth and gum infections and all the bad things that come along with these.
Eat Less Sugar
Many Americans make the resolution to eat better when January 1 comes around, but what type of food should you focus your resolution on? Although foods high in fat and sodium can be unhealthy, having too much sugar in your diet can come with a whole host of problems, including an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily have to quit sugar cold turkey. In fact, depriving yourself of any and all sweet treats can result in overindulgence or binging if you face a setback. Just make the conscious choice to cut back on sugar to keep the bad bacteria in your mouth under control.
Drink More Water
Like limiting your sugar consumption, having more water throughout the day has many health benefits beyond your mouth. In terms of oral health, water can rinse food debris and plaque from your teeth, reducing decay or infection.
Throughout the day, take small sips of water to lubricate your mouth. As much as possible, choose to drink water over juice, soda, sports drinks, and other beverages.
Visit the Dentist Twice
Aside from at-home care on your own, routine dental checkups and cleanings are essential if you want to keep your smile healthy this year. About every six months, your dentist needs to look at your teeth and gums for any indication of trouble. If they find something, they can quickly address it before it develops further and causes a bigger problem. Plus, the cleanings feel amazing afterward!
Instead of setting unrealistic or impractical goals, choose a resolution you can keep all year long and benefit from in multiple ways. When January 2025 rolls around, you can face whatever comes next with a strong smile!
About the Practice
Both Dr. Franklin Boyles and Dr. Stephen Boyles at Boyles General Dentistry & Implant Center have rare credentials. They are masters of the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction held by only a small group of dentists in the country. They have the training, technology, and expertise to offer advanced care like dental implants, but they also encourage simple preventive care through routine appointments. To schedule your next visit at their Midland office, call 432-685-7011 or visit this page.