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Did you know your oral and general health are connected? Research shows dental health problems can lead to a variety of health concerns, like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and diabetic complications. With the start of the new year, there isn\u2019t any better time than now to recommit to your smile to promote your overall wellness. Here are 4 New Year\u2019s resolutions to stick with to invest in a healthy smile in 2021.<\/p>\n
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The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day to remove harmful plaque and food particles from your teeth that can lead to tooth decay. Unfortunately, only 40% of adults follow this advice. If you crawl into bed at night without brushing your teeth, commit to a regular oral hygiene routine. Although it\u2019s best to brush after every meal, be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily. Clean all surfaces of your teeth for at least 2 minutes each session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides tooth decay, gum disease is the biggest threat to your smile. Although it\u2019s preventable, at least 50% of Americans have the infection. You can significantly reduce your risk of it by flossing every night. Dental floss cleans areas missed by your toothbrush, like in between your teeth and around your gumline. Use a high-quality floss supported by the American Dental Association to remove plaque and food particles that can lead to gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sugars and starches can contribute to tooth decay because they form an acidic plaque when they combine with your saliva. If it isn\u2019t removed regularly, a cavity can form. Limiting how often you consume sugary and starchy foods will help preserve your enamel to keep your teeth healthy. If you can\u2019t ignore your sweet tooth, brush your teeth well afterward. If you can\u2019t get to your toothbrush, rinse your mouth with water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to your home oral hygiene habits, the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup<\/a>. Your dental hygienist will remove any buildup left behind by your toothbrush and floss. Your dentist will also monitor your dental health to detect concerning areas while they are still small, like weakened enamel or gingivitis. As a result, it will prevent the problem from worsening to avoid needing a costly treatment in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your oral hygiene habits are less than perfect, it\u2019s never too late to recommit to your oral health. A few simple changes throughout the year can help you invest in a healthy mouth and body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About Dr. Saba K. Abernethy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Abernethy<\/a> earned her dental degree at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. She has completed advanced training in general dentistry and regularly continues her training to provide advanced services. If it\u2019s time for your next cleaning and checkup, contact our office<\/a> today to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Did you know your oral and general health are connected? Research shows dental health problems can lead to a variety of health concerns, like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and diabetic complications. With the start of the new year, there isn\u2019t any better time than now to recommit to your smile to promote your overall wellness. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65\/revisions\/67"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diamondhilldental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Achieve a Healthy Smile in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n