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Dr. Alan Slootsky D.M.D, M.A.G.D., F.A.C.D. Restorative Dentistry / Oral Health December 30, 2015 |
One of the top New Year’s resolutions every year is a goal to become healthier. And a big part of your overall health is
maintaining a healthy mouth. This time of year is a great time to evaluate your dental health and make any changes that need to be made for the upcoming year. Dental resolutions can range from brushing and flossing more often to getting cosmetic dental improvements. When making any resolution it is important to remember that starting off with small steps can help you stay with it for a longer amount of time.
Better Brushing and Flossing Habits
An easy way to start getting your teeth healthier is by have a proper oral health regiment. Brushing and flossing the teeth daily helps to remove bacterial plaque from around the teeth. You should be brushing the teeth with a soft bristle brush and use fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day. When brushing the teeth, gently hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line and move the brush across the teeth using a reasonable amount of pressure in order to remove any plaque. Flossing the teeth is also extremely important when trying to remove plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line. A toothbrush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months and should also be replaced after you have been sick. Rinsing with an antimicrobial and fluoride mouth rinse can also help improve your oral health.
Healthier Food and Beverage Choices
Your dental health can benefit from eating healthier foods, especially snacks, and drinking healthier beverages. Foods and beverages that are high in carbohydrates and acids can contribute to tooth decay. If your do eat or drink sugary substances it is even more important to brush the teeth afterwards to make sure all the sugar has been washed off the teeth.
Improving Your Smile
Having a nice smile can improve one’s confidence tremendously. Brushing and flossing can keep the teeth healthy and sparkling. Tooth whitening will brighten the teeth and help remove any stains that may be on the teeth. There are a number of different tooth whitening techniques that can remove deep and surface stains from the teeth. You can get over the counter whitening kits, whitening toothpastes or get them professionally whitened at your dental office.
Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
You may have some teeth that are crooked or have an abnormal bite that can be contributing to dental problems or an unhappy smile. These things can be corrected with the use of braces and other teeth straightening devices. Your dentist will be able to advise you on what is best for you. And don’t think that because you are an adult you can’t get braces. Braces are for all ages of people.
Restorative dentistry uses dental crowns, fillings or implants to fix problems with certain teeth. These procedures will help to strengthen the teeth and allow them to remain in their proper position in the mouth. This can help improve your dental help immensely.
Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking and stopping the use of tobacco products is always a good way to help live a healthier life. Quitting will also help improve your oral health. Smoking can leave stains on the teeth that will require you to constantly whiten the teeth. This time of year is a great time to quit smoking.
Dental Visits
It is important to keep going to your dentist on a regular basis. You should get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months. A cleaning removes plaque from places in the mouth that we can’t reach with regular brushing and flossing. Regular visits also allow you dentist to keep an eye out for any changes in your oral health. Catching a dental problem early on stops it from getting out of control and causing more severe problems.
For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000. Dr. Alan Slootsky is a dentist in Pompano Beach, Florida dedicated to bringing patients state-of-the-art dental care. As a cosmetic, family andrestorative dentist, he helps patients enjoy a natural and healthy smile. Dr. Slootsky has integrated a friendly, hands-on gentle approach with highly accurate and patient-sensitive technologies and tools to both identify and resolve problems in a timely and efficient manner. We know most people don’t like to visit the dentist. That’s why we make every effort to make your experience both as effective and as pleasant as possible.