As the calendar rolls into another year, so many resolutions are being made every day — to eat healthier, call your mom more, and get to the gym regularly. Chances are by June, more than half of all resolutions will have fallen by the wayside. At my Chapel Hill dental office, we’d like to propose a 2016 resolution challenge for better oral health, and help you keep it all year around.
Resolution #1: Drink More Water
Water is incredibly important not just for your oral health, but for your whole body. But most people don’t drink nearly enough of it. It’s a generally accepted rule to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water every day. This ensures your body is hydrated and able to function properly. It also helps rid your mouth of dangerous bacteria and stimulates saliva flow.
Resolution #2: Quit Smoking
Although quitting smoking comes with a whole host of health benefits like decreased risk for heart disease and cancer, putting down the cigarettes helps limit your chance for oral cancer, yellow teeth, and plaque and tartar build up.
Resolution #3: Choose Fruits and Veggies
Fruits, veggies, and even nuts are packed full of antioxidants that can help combat inflammation and kill bacteria, protecting teeth and gums. A bonus is the crunchy texture of some fruits and veggies like apples and carrots remove tooth plaque and can even freshen breath.
Resolution #4: Limit Alcohol
Alcohol is naturally drying, and a dry mouth is an unhappy mouth. Saliva is your body’s natural way of rinsing away food particles, neutralizing acids, and removing plaque and bacteria. The less saliva produced and the drier the mouth, the more likely bacteria and plaque are to linger around and cause problems.
Resolution #5: Visit Your Dentist in Chapel Hill
We typically recommend visiting us at least every six months, sometimes more if necessary. At these visits we not only check for potential problems that may be lurking around, we also use them as a chance to make sure your resolutions are holding strong and your oral health is thanking you for it.
There’s never been a better time to resolve to get your mouth in its best shape yet. And all of us at my dental office in Chapel Hill want to help. Dedicate 2016 to a healthier smile and an overall healthier you. Schedule your appointment today and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Welcoming patients from Chapel Hill, Durham, and Pittsboro.
