Are you resolving to improve your health in 2017? Start with your smile!
Every January, many of us resolve to change our lives for the better. We set goals for ourselves such as losing weight, making smarter financial decisions, and learning new skills. Why not make 2017 the year you improve your oral health?
Commit to these three resolutions for healthier teeth and gums:
1. Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet
It probably doesn’t surprise you to hear that one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier, but did you know that a nutritious diet can improve your oral health?
Try to add more mouth-healthy foods to your diet this year. Include calcium-rich foods such as cheese, milk, plain yogurt, leafy greens, and almonds, as well as high-protein, phosphorous-rich foods including meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Calcium and phosphorus “play a critical role in dental health, by protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel,” according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
Make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, too. Not only do fruits and veggies contain numerous vitamins that support healthy teeth and gums, they also “help stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from teeth and helps neutralize acid, protecting teeth from decay,” advises the ADA.
Want to learn more about adhering to a mouth-healthy diet? Ask us about our nutrition counseling!
2. Limit Your Sugar Intake
Consuming too many sugary foods and drinks can wreak havoc on your oral health, causing problems including cavities and gum disease. Avoid eating a lot of sweets such as candy, cookies, and cakes, which contain high amounts of sugar that can stick to your teeth. “The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay,” according to the ADA.
As we discussed in a previous post, sugary drinks are particularly bad for oral health. In fact, the ADA says that “sipping them causes a constant sugar bath over teeth, which promotes tooth decay.” Keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy by limiting the number of sodas, juices, and pumpkin-spice lattes you drink regularly.
When you decide to treat yourself to a sugary snack or beverage, brush your teeth thoroughly, chew sugar-free gum, or rinse your mouth with water as soon as you can afterward to remove the sugar stuck to your teeth.
3. Quit Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
If you’re a tobacco user, consider quitting this year to improve the state of your teeth and gums. Smoking cigarettes or cigars can have many negatives effects on your oral health. Smoking can contribute to:
- Oral cancer
- Periodontal disease
- Reduced ability to heal after oral surgeries
- Bad breath
- Stained teeth and tongue
- Taste and smell disorders
Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco can cause a host of dental problems. Chewing tobacco can irritate gum tissue and lead to periodontal disease. It also can cause cancers of the mouth, lip, tongue, and pancreas.
We know giving up tobacco can be hard, but your teeth and gums will thank you for it. Seek support from family and friends to help you get through it, or ask Dr. Wright about strategies to curb your cravings.
Persistence is the key to making your New Year’s resolutions stick. Don’t give up when the task ahead seems daunting. Try setting small, manageable goals for yourself throughout the year rather than jumping headfirst into a major lifestyle change this month.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
