Work With Your Dentist to Achieve a Healthier Smile in 2019

When most people set their new year’s resolutions, they focus on things like losing weight, traveling, or spending more time with their loved ones. Those are all fantastic goals, but when you’re jotting down the things you want to accomplish in 2019, you shouldn’t forget to include your smile. Taking care of your oral health can have a positive effect on other aspects of your life and give you added confidence. That’s why you should put regular dental visits, along with other smile-friendly changes, on your list of resolutions for the new year.

How Dental Visits Benefit You

Even if you your brushing and flossing habits are as consistent as the sunrise, you should still be determined to visit your dentist at least once every six months. These routine appointments serve a number of important purposes:

• A professional cleaning removes tartar from your teeth, a task that a regular toothbrush is incapable of performing.
• Your hygienist can give you personalized advice on how to make your at-home care routine even more effective. For example, they can coach you on proper flossing technique and recommend products that will boost your smile’s well-being.
• Your dentist’s highly trained eye, along with X-rays and other diagnostic tools, can alert you to nascent oral health issues well before they cause you any pain. You can get such problems treated while they are still in their early stages, thereby sparing yourself from expensive and extensive dental work later on.
• You can pick your dentist’s brain about any cosmetic treatments you’re considering. For example, you could learn about professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, or gum recontouring.

Other Resolutions for a Healthier Smile

When you visit your dentist, they’ll likely give you advice on things you can do between appointments to protect your smile’s health. For example, they may urge you to:

• Cut back on sugar. Sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth and produces acids that wear away at your tooth enamel. Reducing your intake of the sweet stuff can do wonders for your smile — and it might help you reach your weight loss goals too.
• Quit smoking. If you’ve been struggling for years to break your tobacco habit, now is the perfect time to renew your resolve to quit. Tobacco can stain your teeth, increase your risk of gum disease, contribute to bad breath, and lead to a host of systemic health problems.
• Reduce your stress levels. A high-stress lifestyle can lead to bruxism (teeth grinding), which contributes to tooth damage and TMJ problems. Try to set aside more time for yourself; your mouth and the rest of your body will be healthier as a result!

Do you see room for improvement in the way you take care of your smile? Make 2019 the year you finally master habits that will keep your oral health in the best condition possible.

About the Author

Dr. Anita Kianimanesh, the owner and founder of Purple Plum Dentistry, is an experienced general dentist who works alongside specialists to provide truly comprehensive care to patients. If you would like to take charge of your oral health in 2019, she would be pleased to help you! To learn more about our practice or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 703-998-4244.