Thinking of doing more this year to protect and improve your teeth? If you’re not sure where to start with your dental resolutions, here are some of the best examples that worked for our patients.
- Keep COVID-19 at bay
You’re probably wondering what healthy teeth have to do with COVID-19. One way to minimize your risk of getting the virus is to avoid developing a tooth infection, gum disease or any other type of inflammation in your mouth. If your body is already busy fighting off an infection, any type of disease or inflammation, it will put a strain on your body’s defence system and affect your overall immune response. This would make it harder for your body to fight against COVID–19 and any other viruses. Therefore, it’s vital that you keep your teeth, gums and mouth as healthy as possible during this pandemic and to see your dentist at least twice a year or more if needed!
- Replace your silver fillings with white fillings
If you still have amalgam ‘silver’ fillings, consider replacing them with natural-looking white fillings. The silver fillings weaken over time, causing cavities and cracks in your teeth. Your dentist can replace them with the stronger hardwearing resin fillings. The bonus is the fillings will match the color of your teeth, giving a boost to your smile! If you have many multiple fillings, replace the bigger ones first since they tend to leak faster.
- Minimize damages from smoking
Do you have a “smoker’s mouth”? This is where smoking may be causing you to have bad breath, stained teeth, loose teeth and even some redness and bleeding on your gums. These issues can cause periodontal disease, and tenacious staining that are at times impossible to remove. Cavities may also form to damage your teeth. If you want healthier teeth and gums, then get help to stop smoking. Easier said than done! Meanwhile (regardless of your decision), ask for an oral health exam so you can detect and address any urgent issues like oral cancer and then apply the appropriate preventive measures.
- Clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth
Many people don’t realize this, but did you know that the surface of your tongue harbors a build-up of food debris, bacteria, and dead cells? If you don’t brush your tongue daily, eventually a white coat starts to develop on it. Soon, your sense of taste is affected, and you develop bad breath, gum disease, and poor oral health. To help prevent this, clean your tongue as often as you brush your teeth. The easiest way is to use the soft bristles of your toothbrush or upgrade to a toothbrush that has a rubber tongue scraper on the back of its head. You could also use a proper tongue scraper, but these two methods should do the job.
- Stop using your teeth as tools
Do you use your teeth to cut, carry, hold, open, or crack things? Most patients have a chip here and a crack there due to these habits. What they don’t realize is the older we grow, the weaker each tooth gets due to the wear and tear to its enamel. It’s healthier if you quit these habits because once this thin 1 to 1.5 mm layer starts to crack, tooth decay can develop. It’s also healthier to eat softer foods as you get older. Plus, a regular fluoride treatment can help strengthen your enamel.
- Stop grinding your teeth—for good
Do you unconsciously grind, gnash or clench your teeth? That’s what we call bruxism, and it could be due to stress, misaligned jaws, sleep apnea, or other issues. Left untreated, bruxism could lead to headaches, neck pains, and sinus issues. Sometimes extra bone might form around the jawbone. You might also hear popping and clicking noises in your jaw or your jaw might even lock up. As bruxism overuses your teeth and everything that makes your jaw function, it can become chronic enough to cause serious irreversible damage. If you know that you suffer from any of these symptoms mentioned above, a customised night guards or an occlusal splint should help minimize the ache and pains. Don’t wait, call us for a consultation today!
- Get braces or Invisalign® to improve your smile
If you’re thinking of getting your teeth straightened, you’re probably wondering whether to get braces or Invisalign®. We wish we could say to go with Invisalign®, but it’s not for everyone as it’s mostly for teeth straightening. For instance, if your jaws are not properly aligned, Invisalign® would be just one step of the treatment. Braces may be another good option. Don’t worry, they’re quite trendy nowadays as they come in a wide variety of color options that can also be combined to your preference. The best way to find out whether you qualify for braces or Invisalign® is to come in for a comprehensive exam.
- Book early, make the most of your insurance benefits
When it comes to oral health, knowledge, and prevention are key, because the sooner you know, the more you can take care of your teeth and the longer you can keep them. Teeth improve your quality of life by helping you with speaking, kissing, eating, drinking, and talking. It’s also been proven that those who have their teeth tend to live about 10 years longer than those who don’t.
Now is the time to start looking after your teeth. It’s a NEW YEAR and your dental insurance benefits should have renewed. If not, it’s still important to take care of your mouth, and we do offer different finance options if needed. Book your cleaning and check-up appointments ahead of time, so you are committed to them, and so we can catch any problems before they become bigger and more expensive to treat.
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We’d love to help you keep your teeth and gums for LIFE. Our friendly team can help you achieve and maintain a healthier smile through proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and proper treatments. All you need to do is book a check-up appointment TODAY!
Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or another medical professional. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.