As you ring in the new year, you begin to think about plans for improvement. What goals do you have for 2019? What do you want to work towards? Do you want to improve your health? If you do, don’t forget your oral health, which can affect your overall wellbeing. In fact, the health of your mouth has been linked to medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and more. As you take good care of your mouth, your overall health can improve as well. Here are three resolution ideas from your dentist in San Marcos that can help you promote your oral health this year.
Floss Daily
You probably brush your teeth twice a day, but do you floss as well? It may seem like a little thing, but flossing can dramatically improve your oral health. Although brushing does, in fact, remove a lot of the plaque from your teeth, your toothbrush can’t reach in between. The bacteria in plaque can congregate there and produce acids that attack your teeth and irritate your gums. The acids eat away at the connective tissue between teeth and gums, causing inflamed and red gums—these symptoms are the first signs of gum disease. If unchecked, these bacteria can cause tooth decay or gum disease, both of which can have serious consequences, including tooth loss. The simple act of flossing daily can reduce your chances of oral health problems significantly.
Visit the Dentist Twice a Year
Even if you brush and floss diligently every day, you still need to go to the dentist’s office every six months for your checkup and cleaning. In addition to removing plaque and tartar that you may have missed, your dentist visually checks your gums, teeth, tongue, mouth, and throat for any indications of conditions like gum disease or oral cancer. By checking for these every six months, the dentist is able to catch them before they have the chance to develop further, cause more damage, and need more extensive treatment. Early detection for these conditions is key to ensuring that you can keep smiling with your natural, healthy teeth for years to come.
Drink More Water
When you feel thirsty, try drinking more water instead of a sugary drink, such as soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, or juice. Cavity-causing bacteria thrive on sugar and become more active when it enters your mouth. By replacing these beverages with water, you significantly reduce their opportunity to wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. But water is good for your mouth not just because it doesn’t contain sugar; it also helps wash away residual food particles and plaque, cleaning your mouth between brushings.
As you implement these simple yet powerful habits into your life, you and your dentist will notice a difference in your oral and overall health. Now is the perfect time to make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle to improve. Make 2019 the year that you changed your life for the better. For more information about oral health and preventive dental care, contact your dentist in San Marcos.
About the Practice
Using the most updated technology, the dentists and staff at San Marcos Gentle Dental provide complete family and cosmetic dental care. From digital X-rays to 3-D imaging to the Whisper Jet decay removal system, they utilize the best techniques and tools to make their patients comfortable and confident in their treatment. To schedule an appointment, you can call (512) 396-5225 or click here.