Happy New Year from all of us at Cornerstone Family Dentistry!

As you start working on your New Year’s resolutions, may we suggest that you also consider setting goals to improve your dental health? Whether you’ve never had a cavity or have struggled with your teeth and/or gums for years, it’s never too late to boost your dental health. Here are five ways to ensure that you and your family have bright, healthy smiles in 2020.

1. Stock Up on Dental Products

When was the last time you bought a new toothbrush? Experts say a toothbrush should be changed out every three to four months. Sometimes buying a new toothbrush can be a good reminder and motivation to remember to thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially for kids. Consider letting your kids pick out a new toothbrush to start out the new year. Also make sure to stock up on plenty of fluoride toothpaste and dental floss. You may even consider getting everyone in your family a bottle of mouthwash for extra protection against cavities. The bottom line is this: in order to generate a dental rejuvenation for you and your family, it will help if you stock up on all the important dental products that you need.

2. Check Your Technique

Because teeth brushing is more-than-likely a regular part of your morning and nightly routine, it can be easy to develop poor techniques. Make sure that you are brushing twice a day for two minutes each time. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline and, using small back-and-forth strokes, gently brush all the surfaces of your teeth. A common mistake people make when brushing is to brush too hard, which can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Make sure you are using short, gentle strokes. And don’t forget to floss at least once a day! When you floss you should carefully slide the dental floss between your teeth in a back-and-forth motion. If you floss regularly and your gums bleed every time, you may be doing it too hard.

3. Limit Your Sugar Intake

This tip may go hand-in-hand with another of your New Year’s resolutions like making healthier food and drink choices or losing weight. Just like limiting your sugar intake can improve your physical health, it can also greatly improve your dental health. Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the amount of sugar a person eats and the amount of tooth decay he or she has. In addition to eating more fruits and veggies and less candy and sweets, we strongly encourage you to cut out sugary sodas and juices and stick to water and sugar-free seltzers. If you’re craving something sweet, try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum instead.

4. Get Rid of Bad Habits

There are some habits you may have that are detrimental to your dental health. For example, smoking not only stains your teeth, but it doubles your risk for gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While certainly an incredibly difficult habit to kick, smoking is harmful to both your physical and dental health and a worthwhile practice to eliminate. Other habits can also negatively affect your teeth, such as frequently sucking on hard candies or drinking sugary sodas, which expose your teeth to acids that slowly dissolve tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Crunching on ice or chewing the end of your pen cap is another habit you’ll want to break, because it can cause teeth to chip or break. All habits take time to break, so be patient with yourself and ask a friend or family member to help you.

5. Visit Your Dentist

The beginning of the year is a great time to go ahead and schedule dental checkups and cleanings for you and your family. It is recommended that you visit your dentist twice a year for a routine cleaning and checkup. Not only does a professional cleaning keep your teeth and gums healthy by removing bacteria that a toothbrush cannot, but it is also an opportunity for your dentist to detect any problems you may be having. If you are responsible for more than just yourself, it can get confusing to make sure everyone in your family is seeing the dentist twice a year, so why not call now and schedule everyone’s appointments for the year?

At Cornerstone Family Dentistry, we would love to be a part of your 2020 dental care, so please make an appointment with us today!