Your New Year's dental resolutions to tick off in 2020
We all try our best to make some good, healthy habits every year, don’t we? From eating more healthily to joining a gym or going for regular runs, those healthy habits can make all the difference to your lifestyle and wellbeing.
But one thing many people forget to improve is their dental care regime. If you’ve been brushing regularly for the past few decades, you might think you’ve got your routine down. But there are always improvements that can be made, as our team of dentists will tell you.
So, in 2020, why not consider making a change to your dental care regime as part of a general health and lifestyle overhaul? Here’s a few simple swaps that you can make, that will drastically improve your oral health and give you a brighter, better smile in 2020 and beyond…
Resolution One: Use proper brushing technique
You might think that you know how to brush your teeth, but you’d be surprised at how inaccurate your technique can be! If you aren’t taking care to brush every surface of the tooth, you aren’t eradicating leftover food particles properly, and you’re leaving build-up behind, which can lead to plaque or tooth decay.
This year, start off on the right foot by using an electric toothbrush, and use your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, allowing the brush to work over the sides and the tops of your teeth. Then, with the brush held vertically and using the same motion, focus on the backs of the teeth, where plaque often builds up, to ensure teeth are properly cleaned from all angles.
Resolution Two: Floss!
Flossing is such a key part of a great dental hygiene routine, but so many people skip this step. Even those that do floss often get it wrong, missing the germs that are out of reach to the toothbrush and defeating the purpose, but this year, commit to making it a part of your daily routine.
Use a piece of floss around 18 inches in length, allowing you to use a fresh area of floss with every stroke, and keep in mind that the floss should create a ‘c’ shape around each tooth, to effectively remove lingering bacteria from the sides, front and back of the tooth. You can also use the floss to scrape gently down the front of the teeth.
Resolution Three: Clean your brush between uses
A clean toothbrush is essential to good dental hygiene, it’s imperative that your toothbrush is hygienic. Don’t use covers to keep your brush clean; this can actually encourage the breeding of new bacteria, which will then be introduced into your mouth. Instead, rinse your brush thoroughly after each use and allow it to air dry, far away from your toilet.
Once a week, rinse it hot water or antibacterial mouthwash to kill off any lingering germs. You should also avoid sharing brushes with others, to avoid spreading bacteria or cross-contamination.
Resolution Four: Book in for regular dental check-ups
Most of us think that we’re good at keeping up with our appointments, but in reality, over 50% of UK adults haven’t seen their dentists in the past two years, or even longer.
Regular dental check-ups are essential to maintaining good dental health, and you should make sure that you are booked into see your dentist twice per year. If you experience any issues such as toothache or bleeding gums, you should book into see your dentist immediately.