Don’t you love the New Year? You get a fresh start on the year by wiping your slate clean from last year and making your New Year’s resolutions for 2023.
One of the top resolutions for 2023 is “Eat better.” Such a resolution will improve not only your overall health but your dental and oral health as well. So, if you still need to add that one to your list, we hope you do. And we would like to give you some tips to help you:
Brush, brush, brush!
We know you’ve heard it repeatedly, but brushing is essential to keeping a healthy mouth. Brushing your teeth after meals keeps your teeth clean, whether you have traditional braces or clear aligners. Brushing helps prevent plaque buildup, bad breath, and cavities that can cause gum disease and discoloration of your teeth (and aligners if you wear them).
Floss at least once a day.
Flossing is essential because brushing alone is not enough to remove the plaque from your teeth. Not taking care of plaque can lead to problems such as cavities and gingivitis.
Flossing is even more important when you wear braces. Braces trap more food, and it’s harder to get everything out of them with just brushing. Please ask us if you have questions or need help with how to floss with braces.
Eat better.
Let’s look at this from an oral health viewpoint (but you should evaluate this for your general health too).
Cutting back on sugary snacks can improve your oral health. Tooth decay strikes more rapidly when you’re eating a lot of sugar. Choose sugar-free snacks and drinks.
Also, take care to avoid overly acidic foods. Too much acid contributes to tooth decay, so make sure you brush your teeth well after an acidic snack. If you can’t brush for any reason, try rinsing your mouth with water or chewing sugar-free gum, which can also help neutralize acids.
You can also eat foods that will help strengthen your teeth. For example, leafy greens are high in calcium. Calcium strengthens the hard outer shell of your tooth, called enamel. Also, fibrous foods are good for your body and help your mouth create more saliva to scrub away plaque and strengthen your teeth.
Drink plenty of water and rinse after eating.
Drinking plenty of water can significantly improve your oral health. Drinking water helps to rinse away food particles that can get trapped between your teeth or braces. If food particles are left behind after you eat, they become a feeding source for bacteria to grow and multiply. Also, water keeps you hydrated which helps your body produce enough saliva to protect your mouth from bacteria. And fortunately, there are lots of sugar-free flavored waters available today.
Don’t use tobacco products.
Smoking doubles your risk for gum disease, and tobacco will stain and damage your teeth. There are many sources to help you kick your tobacco habit. If you can’t find any, ask us, and we’ll help you locate some. You can also reach out to friends and loved ones who can help you make the change.
Visit your dentist.
Even when undergoing braces treatment, you still need to see your dentist. Your dentist focuses on the overall health of your teeth – and they perform teeth cleanings and checkups. Get your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist every six months during your orthodontic treatment. Ensure that there isn’t anything lurking within your mouth that needs attention.
Find out if you need braces.
If you have been thinking about getting braces for yourself or a loved one, 2023 is the year to start! Whether someone is young or in their golden years, it is never too late to have the beautiful smile you deserve! We offer:
- Clear ceramic braces
- Traditional metal braces
- Personalized clear aligners
So, whatever your situation, we have a solution.
Final Words
At Orthodontic Specialists, we encourage you not only to make but keep your New Year’s resolutions for your dental and oral health, and we will help you along the way. We are in the business of helping you have a confident smile. Please contact us to schedule an appointment and get any questions answered. We hope you accomplish everything you want to in 2023.
Happy New Year!
Your Friendly Team at
Orthodontist Specialists
