Still looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Let Your Dentist Help!

It’s that time of year again. Some of us have already made (and possibly broken) our New Year’s Resolutions, whilst others simply struggle to decide what it is they should start or stop doing over the coming months. Whilst many people focus on their health and think about exercising more, eating better and losing weight, they often fail to consider a key area of health – their teeth. It’s not too late to make your teeth a priority for 2018 – here are five things you should think about and why they matter.

1. Get regular check ups

If getting yourself into the dentist’s chair for a regular checkup was not one of your strong points in 2017, now is the perfect time to change that. Ideally, you should visit your dentist for a checkup every six months, unless advised otherwise. Remember, a professional dental checkup is about far more than simply making sure all your teeth are present and correct – as well as making sure that your teeth are sound and everything is in order with your oral hygiene, dentists are also trained to look for early signs of gum disease and oral cancer. Early detection of the latter has been proven to significantly increase the likelihood of successful treatment. If you don’t already have an appointment in your diary, be sure to book one now.

2. Check your cover

If you don’t already have private dental care cover, now is an ideal time to look at your options. You may well be pleasantly surprised to learn just how little it can cost to take out a suitable level of cover for you and your family. A good dental plan will give you the peace of mind of knowing that everything is covered and that you’ll have access to the treatment you need, when you need it, rather than relying purely on the treatment available under the NHS.

If you already have a policy, be sure to check that it still meets your needs. Don’t be afraid to discuss it with your dental team if you are unsure.

3. Brush and floss – properly

Let’s face it, we all know that we should be brushing our teeth twice daily for at least two minutes – but with our hectic lives, it is easy to just forget or give it a miss because you’re simply too tired or in a rush.. Make a commitment to yourself to ensure that you always brush twice a day in 2018, no matter how hard it is to find the time. This will help to prevent damage to your teeth by removing food particles and plaque, reducing the risk of cavities. Research has shown that flossing once a day can help to remove particles of food from harder to access areas between teeth, making your oral hygiene routine even more effective.

Brushing twice a day also promotes awareness of what is happening in your mouth and any changes that take place – allowing you to follow up with your dentist if necessary.

4. Rinse right

Alongside brushing properly, mouthwash is another effective way to help counteract the effects of what you eat and drink – but used at the wrong time it can actually undermine the benefits of brushing. You may not be aware, but using a mouthwash directly after brushing your teeth can wash away a lot of the benefits offered by the fluoride and other active ingredients in the toothpaste – once again leaving your teeth exposed to attack. It is recommended to rinse at a different time to brushing, or wait until at least 30 minutes afterwards. Rinse right, and you’ll be doing your teeth a favour.

5. Watch what you eat

Love them or not, some foods just aren’t good for your teeth. Sticky, sugary sweets are an obvious example but other less obvious foods and snacks can also be a threat to your oral hygiene. Crisps and other potato snacks, for example, can leave large amount of residue on the teeth which can quickly promote acid build up. Bread can also have the same effect. Sports drinks are notorious for their high sugar content which can be dangerous for the teeth, whilst tea and red wine, if excessively consumed can result in staining. The key to enjoying your favourite foods and drinks is knowing their effects and how you can minimise them – usually by consuming them in moderation and of course brushing at the right time.

Here at Bridge Dental in Derby, we want to help you enjoy the very best in dental health in 2018. To book an appointment now, enquire about becoming a member or to discuss your dental needs, call now on 01332 916351 to speak to a member of our friendly team or click here to contact us online.

Posted by Bridge Dental and Implant Clinic on 31st January 2018, under Dental Check-Ups,Dental health