Happy New Year everyone! In light of new beginnings, here are a few good dental hygiene habits to start practicing this year. As you celebrate the New Year, make your teeth happy too – welcome 2023 with the biggest smile. 

Pay attention to your toothbrush

 A lot of us take our toothbrushes for granted. Think of what these unassuming tools do. Toothbrushes keep your teeth clean and healthy, which in turn keep digestion smooth and your tummy happy. Make sure to use only a soft-bristle toothbrush, and if you still use one with frayed bristles, replace it immediately. Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Taking care of your toothbrush also involves knowing how to clean them and the right way to use them.

Use a Mouth guard

 Mouthguards are a versatile dental must-have. There are different types of mouthguards you can use when you play sports, to prevent teeth grinding, to help relieve snoring, and even to help with sleep apnoea. Your dentist can custom-make one tailored to your needs. Mouthguards are just as essential as kneepads or helmets while you play. They can also help people who grind their teeth at night or those who snore. This season, gift your partner a mouthguard- and gift yourself some decent sleep! 

Use fluoridated toothpaste

 Fluoride is very important for your dental health. Bacteria in your mouth produce acids that erode the minerals in the enamel of your teeth. Fluoride can restore these minerals. Recently fluoride has been under scrutiny as people are worried about how it affects your over health, however, the amount of fluoride in toothpaste is safe to ingest. Fluoride provides a good defense against decay and is a mainstay in dentistry. Make sure you look at the base ingredients of your toothpaste rather than giving priority to flavors or whitening agents! 

See a dentist regularly 

 You must see your dentist every six months. This is non-negotiable and should not be avoided. A healthy body starts only with a healthy mouth. Start your new year with a complete oral health check-up. Ask your dentist for good teeth-cleaning tips. This will help you avoid pain and time-consuming procedures later in the year. Even if you think your teeth are free of decay, it is important to get your teeth cleaned by your dentist or hygienist regularly, so your gums remain in the pink of health!

Quit Smoking. Yes, vaping too! 

 We all know how deadly tobacco is for your lungs and your mouth. Never use tobacco products to clean your teeth, and if you’re a smoker, try to quit this year. If you find it hard, tobacco counselors exist for this very reason. Tobacco counselors can help you identify your triggers and prescribe nicotine replacements to help you slowly quit so that you go through the least possible trouble. For those using e-cigarettes or vapes, they aren’t safe for your mouth! Studies show that nicotine consumption causes your gums to recede and is linked to several gum diseases.  

Avoid Dry Mouth

 Sometimes medication you take regularly can cause dry mouth. It could also be caused by oral thrush which a fungal infection of the mouth. Saliva helps remove the excess food trapped on your teeth and decreases the amount of plaque. Thus, a dry mouth will increase the incidence of decay. Ask your doctor about medication that causes dry mouth and check for replacements. Avoid smoking tobacco or marijuana. If you cannot avoid having a dry mouth, make sure you drink plenty of water, use humidifiers, or chew on sugarless gum.

 
We love the idea of having these oral health recommendations as New Year resolutions. They are so easy to keep and healthy to boot. Once you start regularly taking good care of your teeth, you end up doing this without thinking. At the end of this year, wow your friends by actually having kept your resolutions!