Taking care of your teeth with New Year’s dental resolutions

The new year means new beginnings. Many people see the new year as an opportunity to focus on new, healthy habits. If you’re putting together some important New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to include your oral health goals too.

Here at E11even Dental, our clinicians believe that it doesn’t matter when you start, as long as you start somewhere. We love to hear that our patients are committing to excellent oral health in the New Year. Even if it takes you until January 2023 to get on track with your oral hygiene, manifesting those New Year’s resolutions is the best place to start.

Keep reading to find out some of our top 5 dental resolutions for the New Year…

Commit to a dental routine at home

A good at-home dental routine will help you maintain excellent oral health in 2023. Perhaps you find yourself sometimes brushing only once a day or forgetting to floss. Committing to an oral health routine at home will keep your teeth strong and healthy, helping you to avoid issues like gum disease and tooth decay. 

Start off your new year the right way by including the following tips in your at-home dental routine:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
  • Make sure that you are brushing for the recommended 2 minutes
  • We would recommend an electric toothbrush
  • Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
  • When brushing, focus on all areas of your mouth
  • Add fluoride mouthwash to your routine to help to fight plaque and other bacteria
  • Make sure to floss – if you aren’t sure how to floss accurately, there are tutorials online. Or visit our Harley District practice where our hygienists would be more than happy to provide you with a demonstration

Visit our practice twice in 2023

Start off your year by making sure that you’ve got two dates on the calendar – your routine check-ups and hygiene appointments.

Visiting our practice for routine dental appointments is vital for maintaining excellent oral health. Our professional clinicians will be able to notice things that you aren’t able to. Did you know that sometimes gum disease has no noticeable symptoms?

A routine visit to our Harley District dental practice will ensure that your teeth are healthy, give them a good clean and identify any potential issues. You’ll also have the chance to ask our clinicians any questions.

Stop the bad habits

The little things go a long way. Avoiding the following ‘bad habits’ will keep your teeth healthy and help to prevent further damage to your oral health.

  • Stop biting or chewing your nails – chew sugar-free gum instead
  • Don’t use your teeth as tools – for example, as a bottle opener
  • Don’t brush your teeth aggressively
  • Avoid thumb sucking
  • Try to cut back on heavy drinking – alcohol is acidic and can wear away your enamel. If you are going to drink, make sure to rinse your mouth out afterwards.

Quitting smoking

Smoking is a dangerous habit for the health of your teeth and gums, increasing your risk of gum disease and even tooth loss. Quitting smoking can be beneficial for both your oral health and overall health. 

Smoking can lead to:

  • Tooth staining
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth loss
  • Oral cancer

Our experienced dental hygienists in Harley District can provide you with the advice and guidance you need to stop smoking. Discover more about our dental hygiene services by clicking here.

Avoid staining food and drinks

If you are wondering how to prevent and reduce discolouration, avoiding food and drinks that stain your teeth can help. Commit to avoiding the worst culprits in the new year:

  • Red wine
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Chocolate
  • Beer
  • Cola

However, if you aren’t ready to cut those foods and drinks out of your life just yet, there are other things you can include in your dental resolutions to avoid discolouration in the new year. Consume your drinks with a clean reusable straw to avoid staining your teeth. Make sure to floss daily and brush after every meal.

New Year, New Dental Resolutions

Kickstart your journey towards excellent oral health by booking your 2023 routine dental appointment today. For advice and guidance on the best New Year’s dental resolutions for you and your individual smile, make sure to visit our Harley District practice. Our warm and welcoming team can advise you on the best way to protect your teeth all year round. Call us now on 020 3885 1420 to find out more.