New Year, Improved Smile: 4 Tips for Better Oral Health

A new year means making changes and accepting challenges, right? Do you long to move to a new city and find a fulfilling job? Are you ready to shed unwanted pounds? Is it time to start taking your oral healthcare seriously? One of the best ways to start 2021 is by taking steps to improve your teeth and gums. Because they are the first things people notice about you, a healthier, more aesthetically pleasing smile can help you make other changes in your life. If you’re ready to say “yes” to better oral health, a dentist in Richardson shares 4 tips you can adopt that will make a dramatic difference in the life of your smile.

Continue Your Six-Month Checkups & Cleanings

One New Year’s Resolution you can add to your list is committing to your six-month dental checkups and cleanings. These visits help to reduce your chances of developing serious dental problems in the future by allowing your dentist and dental team to examine your smile for signs of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and even bite alignment issues. Not to mention, your hygienist can easily remove hardened plaque and tartar, reducing your risk for periodontal disease, which can quickly advance and create more problems for your overall health.

Embrace a Healthier Diet

The holidays are over, so if you’re ready to swap the sugar for nutrient-rich foods, there’s no better time than now. Too much sugar and starch can lead to cavities and necessary restorative treatment (i.e., dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy). If you’re looking to lose weight and embrace a healthy smile, leafy greens, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy are all great ways to jumpstart your weight loss as well as strengthen tooth enamel and improve gum health.

Give Up Smoking…For Good

Smoking is a bad habit that impacts not just your smile but your lungs, brain, and other areas of the body as well. Not only can it leave stains and discoloration on your teeth, but it can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off infection should you develop gum disease. If you want to avoid a lifetime of serious problems (i.e., lung cancer, oral cancer, COPD, and more), look for cessation resources online or inquire about a support group in your area.

Incorporate Flossing into Your Daily Routine

Do you brush and rinse regularly? If so, good for you! But are you flossing? This beneficial oral hygiene task is necessary to remove harmful bacteria from in-between your teeth and can significantly reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease. If you are not flossing at least once a day, it’s time to get started. By adding it to your daily routine, you can keep your smile looking and feeling its best while keeping more money in your pocket (since you won’t be spending it on periodontal therapy or restorative dentistry).

What better way to start 2021 than with a smile you truly love? By keeping these 4 helpful tips in mind this year, you will be able to enjoy healthier teeth and gums year-round.

About the Practice
At McDougal and Richards Dentistry, our team of expert dentists and staff want to help every patient who walks through our doors achieve happier, healthier smiles. With a clear focus on preventive care, we can ensure your teeth and gums remain decay- and damage-free throughout the year, providing you with the aesthetics and confidence you deserve. Whether it is adding a fluoride treatment to your visit, conducting an oral cancer screening, or simply providing you with tips to use at home, we’re here to help. If you want to make changes to your smile in 2021, contact us at (972) 231-5376.