Top 6 Dental Health Resolutions to Make for 2023

The new year is upon us, it’s time to make New Year’s Resolutions. While weight loss and time management are common goals, this year you can give a chance to take care of your oral health. If you have been neglecting healthy habits for teeth and gums, this new year is the perfect time to start. Here is a list of 6 dental health resolutions you should make for 2023 as well as tips for how to keep them for 365 days.

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Oral Health Should be the Priority in 2023 New Year’s Resolution

Choosing to make dental health resolutions will benefit both your overall health and financial situation. There’s no better way to solve dental issues than by preventing them in the first place. By doing this, a lot of money spent on dental treatments can also be avoided.

Good dental health isn’t just about keeping your teeth clean – it could save your life. Studies have shown that inflammation linked to oral bacteria can contribute to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and other health conditions.

Here are a few simple resolutions you can make to improve your dental health.

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Power Up Your Oral Hygiene Habits

Proper oral health care is easier than you may imagine because the simple choices you make can cause profound changes. To practice a proper oral care routine, you should gently brush for two minutes twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush without damaging the tooth surface (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Oral Hygiene

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Always use toothpaste with fluoride to help keep your teeth healthy. Apart from brushing, you can also use a flossing device, floss, or an interdental brush to clean inaccessible tooth areas. Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing or with water after each meal is a more beneficial step in oral health care.

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Go for Healthier Dietary Choices

Diet is important when it comes to keeping your smile in top shape. What you eat can become food for bacteria in your mouth and potentially contribute to cavities, gum disease , and other conditions.

To avoid damage to teeth and gums, limit the consumption of sugary or acidic foods and beverages, reduce snacking between meals, and include lots of fruits, and vegetables in the diet (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Good Oral Health and Diet

Go to source). Talk to your dentist or doctor to ensure your diet includes enough vitamins and nutrients that keep your teeth strong.

Choose Timely Dental Treatment

From this year onwards, take the pledge to address any dental problems requiring your attention, like an improper bite, damaged tooth, or cavity. The dentist can recommend the appropriate treatment for all your tooth concerns. This prevents future problems and improves your smile's appearance at the same time.

Say no to Dry Mouth

Saliva (also known as spit) has a vital function in maintaining the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. It provides the nutrients necessary for teeth, neutralizes the pH level (also known as acidity), and helps wash away food matter and debris (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Dry mouth

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This means that dry mouth can contribute to various dental problems and that keeping your saliva flowing is important for your oral health.

Dry mouth may be reduced by chewing sugar-free gum, consuming milk or dairy products, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and replacing drugs associated with decreased saliva production. Don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking water regularly!

Quit Tobacco Products

Smoking and the use of other tobacco products are harmful to your oral and overall health. Tobacco can stain your teeth and increase your risk of many dental problems (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Tobacco Use and Oral Health

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This year you could finally commit to quitting, and the power is in your hands. Nicotine is highly addictive, but professionals are specially trained to make this feat as easy as it can be. Therefore, reach out to your doctor or dentist for quitting tobacco products.

Routine Dental Visits

It is recommended to visit your dentist at least twice a year or every six months. The best way to stop dental issues in their tracks is to detect them early or stop them from happening in the first place (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Caring for my teeth and gums

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Regular visits to the dentists will help ensure that no dental issues go unnoticed or worsen into something more serious. A small upfront cost of maintenance and regular visits will prevent further issues that can be far more expensive in the long run.

Making a New Year’s resolution to enhance your dental health is a great choice, no matter how you look at it. Be forgiving of yourself if you have any setbacks, and allow yourself time for your new routines to solidify into habits.

After knowing how to handle the obstacles blocking achieving ideal oral health, it’s time for action. Let us all hope 2023 could be the year of wellness for oral health.

References:

1. Oral Hygiene - (https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene)
2. Good Oral Health and Diet - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3272860/)
3. Dry mouth - (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-mouth/)
4. Tobacco Use and Oral Health - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33822437/)
5. Caring for my teeth and gums - (https://www.dentalhealth.org/caring-for-my-teeth)

Source-Medindia