A New Year can oftentimes renew your energy to create goals that help improve your health and well-being. Though weight loss, or eating healthy, is usually at the top of everyone’s mind, improving your dental health can be an attainable goal!
During the early months of pandemic, you may have avoided traveling far from home, even to visit your local dental care team. And though your safety should always come first, a big part of staying healthy and preventing the spread of disease is taking proper care of your teeth and gums. This also means addressing any oral health issues early on to avoid complex (and expensive) procedures down the road.
This is a good time to point out that at Dakota Dental, we have implemented a variety of safety measures to ensure our patients feel safe and protected during their appointments. To learn more, please see our new policies and procedures.
Because of our new procedures, we are pleased to report that patients feel confident when they visit our location for a teeth cleaning, cavity filling, or oral surgery. So, before we list off your 2021 dental hygiene calendar guide, we first recommend that you contact our team today to schedule an appointment.
It’s recommended that you visit your local dentist for a cleaning twice a year, so if you’ve fallen behind schedule, now is the time to get back on track with your dental hygiene routine.
2021 Dental Hygiene Tips
Brush Twice a Day
This one sounds familiar, right? Once in the morning and once at night, you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes.
- In fact, this year, make sure you’re getting the full benefits of a good teeth cleaning by setting an alarm on your smartphone. Remember to not brush too hard either, as this can injure your gums. Read more on best brushing techniques from the American Dental Association.
Floss after Meals
While you’re eating more healthy vegetables to improve your diet, be sure to floss carefully between your teeth to remove any food that gets stuck in between.
- Carry floss with you on the go, so you don’t have to wait until you get home to remove food.
Use Mouthwash
Opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash, as mouthwashes containing alcohol can dry your mouth of the saliva it uses to keep bacteria at bay. Looking for the best mouthwash? Contact our team to help you select an option that best addresses your personal dental concerns and goals.
Drink Water An Hour Before Each Meal
Drinking water between each meal is proven to help you feel full, so you eat less, thus helping you achieve your weight loss goals. But did you know that drinking water can also help strengthen your teeth? Water that contains fluoride can help you prevent cavity development, and it also helps you flush your system (and your mouth) from food particles, including sugar that might try to stick around after a meal (Healthy Mouth).
Limit Your Carb Intake
Here’s another great dental hygiene tip that’s great for your smile and is also good for your waistline. Starchy foods like pasta, bread, or crackers are what’s known as comfort food, but they actually do little for your nutrition and can lead to tooth decay (Medical News Today). Though we’re not recommending any specific low-carb diet, we are suggesting that you treat carbs like sugary treats—always in moderation.
- For an extra challenge, try to replace carbs at lunch or dinner with fiber-rich fruits and veggies.
Contact Your Dentist If Something Feels Off
Our bodies do a great job of letting us know when there is a problem, such as a toothache, headache, snoring, mouth breathing, jaw pain, etc. If you start to notice something feels off, like you’re starting to grind your teeth at night, you’re experiencing increased tooth sensitivity, or maybe your dentures or retainer doesn’t fit right anymore, our team can help you schedule an appointment, so you can find relief right away and get the type of dental care you deserve all year long.
Improve Your Dental Hygiene Routine in 2021
In 2021, make dental care you and your family’s top priority. To schedule an appointment, contact our team today. If you feel nervous about going to the dentist, please reach out to us to learn about how we’re taking every precaution to protect our patients and team and help you feel safe and in control.
We look forward to serving you and your family!