At Advanced Dentistry, we are passionate about helping our patients reach their goals and improve their oral health. There are specific New Year’s resolutions you can make to ensure you are taking better care of your teeth and gums. Before you make your list of resolutions for 2020, consider the following ways you can dramatically improve your dental health. Then, give us a call at 732-506-2876 to request your next appointment in Middlesex, NJ.

1. Quit Smoking

If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do for your oral health, and your overall health is to give up the habit. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. During your visit with us, if you mention your desire to quit smoking, we can provide you with more information and resources to help make quitting easier.

2. Make a Dentist Appointment

When is the last time you visited our office? The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular trips, about every six months, to your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Regardless of how long it has been since your last dentist appointment, make an appointment now for your next checkup.

3. Start (or Keep) Flossing

According to the ADA, flossing is important enough to do every day. If you have been neglecting the area in between your teeth, consider making a New Year’s resolution to start flossing every day. Whether you clean between your teeth in the morning or evening, a key component of proper oral hygiene is flossing at least once a day.

4. Eat Less Sugar

Another way you can dramatically reduce your risk of tooth decay is to eat less sugar. As delicious as sugary sweets and beverages can be, they are bad news for your teeth.

ADA spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes explained, “Sucrose (sugar) is the ‘food’ for the bacteria that cause tooth decay.”

Every time you eat a sugary sweet, you are feeding that mouth-wrecking bacteria. To avoid the disastrous effects of eating too much sugar, make a New Year’s resolution to cut back. Doing so doesn’t have to be difficult. Read nutrition labels and opt for natural foods over processed ones. And as always, drink water over sugary drinks every chance you get. Your mouth and your overall health will greatly benefit.

5. Upgrade Your Toothbrush

When is the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If it has been more than 3-4 months, you are overdue for a new toothbrush. You are especially overdue for a new toothbrush if the bristles on your toothbrush are frayed. Using a fresh toothbrush ensures your teeth are getting the thorough cleaning they need, so you can better avoid common oral health issues.

If you are unsure about what kind of toothbrush is best, we can recommend our favorites when you come to see us for your next checkup.

6. Treat Yourself to A Smile Makeover

If you are ready to start the new year with a new smile, we offer several options to give your smile a makeover. Whether you are need of a simple teeth whitening procedure to brighten your smile or dental veneers to cover worn, chipped, gapped, misaligned, or discolored teeth, at Advanced Dentistry we have a solution for you. Contact us online, or call us at 732-506-2876 to get started!