For many of us, we just barely floated by during 2020 and 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted so many of our hopes, goals, and routines that many of our aspirations and plans have slipped through the cracks. For some people, this can include their health goals and resolutions. With hope rising for the new year, 2022 can move in a new direction. The first step is to create some New Year’s resolutions that tackle important factors like dental health. Here are 3 attainable and meaningful New Year’s resolutions to promote your healthiest smile in 2022.
1—Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Accomplishing any goal becomes more manageable when support and expertise are readily available. This is why forming a relationship with your current or new dentist can make a huge difference. By scheduling checkups and cleanings twice a year, you can monitor your dental health and implement your dentist’s expertise into your oral healthcare strategy. This way, you can also accurately assess which actions and behaviors bring you closer to your oral health goals. Additionally, if you have cosmetic or orthodontic dental goals such as teeth straightening, your dentist can prepare you for treatment by informing you on necessary prerequisites and safety measures.
2—Adopt a Smile-Friendly Diet
Along with traditional weight loss interests, you should also select a diet that prioritizes your oral health. Providing your body with the amount of protein, fiber, and nutrients it needs lays the groundwork for strong and healthy gums. Including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains in your diet can help you achieve this. Steering away from sugar-rich substances like candy, fruit juice, and pastries will help limit the amount of harmful bacteria around your teeth and gums. This can prevent gum disease and tooth decay, saving you money and time in the future.
3—Kick Lingering Bad Habits
Despite how difficult these may be to quit, excessive drinking and tobacco use can damage the health and integrity of your mouth. Both of these substances can lead to dry mouth and increase the amount of bacteria around your teeth and gums. This can create plaque and make your teeth and gums more vulnerable to infection and decay. While increasing dairy products and water and your diet may mitigate some of the dry mouth effects, tackling the root of the problem is the most effective way to achieve a healthier smile. Your dentist and medical doctor can help you create an effective plan to kick lingering tobacco or alcohol habits.
2022 is your year. Enhance your smile by regularly seeing your dentist, monitoring your diet, and letting go of any negative habits that may put a damper on your overall oral health. In this way, you can rock a bright, strong, and healthy smile for the entire year.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce E. Carter is a restorative and cosmetic dentist who applies his tried-and-true dental knowledge to craft healthy smiles. Having served his patients for over three decades, Dr. Carter is well-informed on the many ways you can achieve optimal oral health for 2022. If you have questions about setting and accomplishing your dental goals, Dr. Carter would love to hear from you at (770) 995-7616 or through his website.