New Year's Oral Health Resolutions

With another year just around the corner and it time for New Year’s resolutions, why not include dental health into your list? While so many of my patients understand the importance of good oral health, not many of them make the effort needed to promote healthy teeth and gums. I am recommending to all my patients this year to make New Year oral health resolutions to reduce the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer in 2016.

There are things to add to your list to ensure you promote healthy teeth and gums next year. Prevention is better, and cheaper, than a cure, so why not include oral health as part of your resolution in the coming year?

Improve brushing habits

The first way you can improve your oral health in the coming year is to improve your brushing habits. Brush your teeth twice daily, take two minutes per brushing to ensure you reach all teeth and effectively remove plaque. You will also want to ensure you gently brush along the gum line to eliminate bacteria and help prevent gum disease.

Keep Dental Appointments

Many patients don't realise why they need routine dental appointments. This results in so many patients cancelling their routine appointments because they aren't in pain and don't see the point. The routine dental appointment is an opportunity for the dentist to identify any potential problems and catch them early.

Eat a well-balanced diet

Diet plays a significant role in oral health. A poor diet brimming with sugars is a definite way to increase the risk of tooth decay. A well-balanced diet comprising of fresh and crunchy vegetables and fruits will improve saliva production, bringing balance to the mouth and fighting acidity.

Reduce Sugar Intake

Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in Britain today. It is the reason so many children are admitted to hospital daily to have teeth extracted. Reducing sugars, being aware of what you eat and choosing alternatives is a great way to improve your oral health in the coming year.

Reduce Alcohol and Smoking

Reducing alcohol and smoking can reduce your risk of oral cancer. Both alcohol and smoking are lifestyle factors that contribute to oral cancer. Oral cancer figures are increasing significantly in the UK affecting thousands of people each year.


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