As the calendar turns towards 2020, most of us are beginning to think about what resolutions we might put on our lists. You might resolve to be healthier, call your parents, or visit the gym regularly. But at Prevent Dental Suite, we’d like to suggest that you add a simple and achievable resolution to your list – A resolution to improve your dental health.
Why? Because your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Smiling can decrease your stress levels, lengthen your life span and even make you appear more attractive to others. And good dental health is the first step to a great smile.
So, entering 2020 we’d like to ask you how confident you are about your smile, teeth, and dental health? To help you achieve optimal confidence in your dental health and smile, Prevent Dental Suite would like to offer the following suggestions that can help you achieve a resolution for good dental health.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, you’re not alone. In fact, 40 per cent of the Australian population do not go for regular check-ups. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found another 30 per cent say they simply cannot afford it or have trouble getting to a dentist. But booking a dental appointment is one of the most important things you can do to take care of your teeth. Some conditions – such as sensitivity in the teeth or bleeding gums – are signs that it’s time to see a dentist immediately.
Even if your teeth look and feel great, put a reminder in your phone or calendar for your January appointment at Prevent Dental Suite.
Brush And Floss At Least Twice A Day
Unfortunately, most Australians aren’t brushing enough. In addition, the average person brushes for under the two minutes recommended by dental professionals. If you don’t brush often enough, or long enough, Prevent Dental Suite suggests you use technology to help! Many of us keep our cell phones or smart phones with us at nearly all times. Why not set up a daily alert to remind you to brush at least twice a day? In a few weeks, you’ll be in a consistent routine that you don’t even think about. You can also use the timer on your smartphone to be sure you brush for two minutes each time. Keep a few extra toothbrushes for you and your family in a travel bag or glove compartment, and keep a consistent brushing routine when you’re away from home. Follow the oral hygiene tips for better results this 2020.
Eat Less Sugar
There is sugar in many different foods and drinks, and the one thing they all have in common is that they’re bad for your oral health. Whether it comes in cookies, soda, or even in alcohol, sugar feeds oral bacteria, which excrete acids that eat away your protective tooth enamel, causing tooth decay.
Eating less sugar not only decreases the risk for cavities, but it can have a positive effect on your entire body, thus supporting other resolutions about losing weight or getting more healthy!
Sugar is empty calories that do not add any nutrition to your diet. Sugar also increases your risk for elevated cholesterol and diabetes!
Change Your Toothbrush
Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months. The same is true for electric brush heads, they do need to be replaced every 3 months. The bristles should look almost brand new. If they look worn, flared, or dingy, chances are the toothbrush is not doing a good job cleaning your teeth and is harboring lots of damaging bacteria! You should also change your toothbrush after suffering from a flu or cold.
Quit Using Tobacco Products
Tobacco use can cause a variety of oral health problems, including:
- Bad breath
- Stained teeth
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Oral cancer
If you currently use any form of tobacco, this is the year to quit. Instead, consider a healthier habit, like chewing sugar-free gum, which stimulates the flow of saliva that washes away bacteria. While many non-cigarette alternatives are advertised as healthier than smoking, ANY form of tobacco is harmful. Quitting all tobacco products is the only way to decrease your risk of tobacco-related health problems.
High-quality Dental Care at Prevent Dental Suite
Prevent Dental Suite is comprised of dedicated dental professionals who provide gentle and patient-oriented care to offer the best-quality dental service from the moment patients come into our office. Dr. Shilpa Gupta is the resident dentist at our Kallangur dental practice, and combines many years’ experience with personable service.
Parking is easy and it’s free. Parking is located at the rear of the building – access via Storey Road.
Call us on (07) 3886 2428 or request your appointment online today!
