The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays, dating back over 4,000 years.
Making a New Year’s resolution is a long standing tradition.
The logic behind the tradition is to chase away the bad habits of the previous years, leaving a clean slate that provides for good health and fortune in the coming year.
This is a great time to resolve to follow through on healthy changes to establish or re-establish good oral health habits.
NEW TOOTHBRUSH
Start the New Year with a new toothbrush. A toothbrush should be replaced when the bristles bend or look worn, usually every three or four months. Always replace your toothbrush after you have been sick. Children’s toothbrushes may have to be replaced more often.
EAT HEALTHY SNACKS
Choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt or a piece of fruit.
FLOSS EVERY DAY
It just takes a few minutes to remove the plaque between your teeth. If you don’t floss, you are missing cleaning about 35 percent of the total tooth surface.
EMERGENCY VISITS
Contact your dentist immediately if you notice changes in your oral health between dental visits.
Sore, puffy or bleeding gums, or a tiny white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth may be a sign of an infection or oral cancer.
Don’t wait until your next appointment to tell your dentist.
DRINK SUGARY DRINKS IN MODERATION
Drink soft drinks, juice and other sugary beverages in moderation.
Consider using a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
Sipping sugary beverages for long periods of time prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth, which can lead to cavities.Never drink soda pop or juice before bedtime because the liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.
Once a beverage has been opened, set a fifteen minute timer.
If it is not gone before the timer expires, dump out the remainder and then wait a few hours before opening another.
BRUSH TWICE A DA Y
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. A good time to brush is after breakfast and then again after you have finished eating and drinking for the day.
Of course, it’s great if you can brush after meals during the days.
CONSUME WATER
Drink lots of water. It has no sugar, no acid and no calories.
THINK DAIRY
Eat cheese. After eating, the mouth naturally becomes more acidic to aid digestion. Cheese keeps the mouth less acidic, and therefore, healthier for teeth. Cheese coats the teeth with calcium and prevents the loss of minerals such as calcium from tooth enamel.
SUGARLESS GUM
Chew sugarless gum. Sugarless gum increases saliva, which helps to clear food from tooth crevices and replaces essential minerals on teeth. Look for gum sweetened with the natural cavity fighter Xylitol.
REGULAR UPDATES
Visit your dentist regularly.
Regular dental visits are important to your oral health and overall health.
Since the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body, your dentist may be the first to spot signs of a health problem in another part of the body.
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| Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. Member of the West Michigan Dental Society |
Brought to you by the 650 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Mecosta and Montcalm counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists also are members of the Michigan Dental Association and the American Dental Association
