The new year means new goals. Tip-top health and great shape are goals we all have on our lists, right? Mostly because we’ve heard the experts tell us that our health is the building block for a successful, well-rounded life — and your oral health affects the health of the rest of your body. Without great oral health, you’ll have a hard time shedding those few extra pounds for swimsuit season, or fighting off that nasty cold that made you miss the last PTA meeting.
So we’ve put together 3 Foolproof Tips for Your New Year Goals.
Stop gum disease before it becomes a big health problem
No matter what goals you’ve actually written down, it’s clear that you have to be healthy to accomplish them. Gum disease, technically called periodontal disease, is a significantly large problem for many adults. Aside from the negative dental problems that result from it ( aka tooth loss, deterioration of the jaw bone, and even oral cancer), it’s been linked to major health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
You don’t have time for those problems, and you certainly don’t want to deal with the side effects of gum disease. So it’s important to stop gum disease early-on. How do you do this? Regular visits with your hygienist. Only your hygienist can break up the bacteria colonies that cause the problem. Make sure that you are coming at the recommend intervals (typically 3-6 months), and schedule your visits early so you don’t get off track.
Start a great oral health routine at home
The simplest thing you can do to help your mouth stay as healthy as possible is to keep your oral health in great shape at home. Yes, that means no more skipping on brushing and flossing! We understand getting the kids to school in the morning and making sure you’re at the office on-time, or wherever you need to be, is stressful. And by the time the evening rolls around you’re pooped. However, you have to make the time, because brushing and flossing really make a difference in whether or not you’ll end up with gum disease.
Here’s your brushing guidelines:
- Brush morning and night
- Brush for at least 2 minutes — use a timer or an electric toothbrush that has one built in
- Use soft bristled toothbrushes (change out toothbrush every 3 months)
- Really focus on getting every side of every tooth (this will help time pass quickly too)
Here’s your flossing guidelines:
- Floss morning and night
- Floss right — get the floss between your teeth, hug it against the left-side tooth glide it up, do it again but hug it against the right-side tooth
- Use floss sticks for ease
- Multi-task when you floss — such as flossing while you watch a TV show so it doesn’t feel like a chore
Make this a habit and you win.
Use top of the line dental products
Technology makes our lives so much easier, and you probably have a lot of useful gadgets already — but do you have the one’s that make you healthier? Dr. James D. Powell recommends Sonicare electric toothbrush to replace your manual toothbrush. Sonicare toothbrushes are able to clean your teeth much better than manual tooth brushes. Dr. James D. Powell also recommends Hydrofloss waterpik to use in tandem with regular flossing. Hydrofloss waterpik can get into the crevasses that might be hard to reach when flossing. These two products will make your life easier and your mouth healthier.
Contact us to get your Sonicare toothbrush and Hydrofloss waterpik. And call us today at 661.349.7725 to set up a reservation with the hygienist to get you started on becoming healthier. The team at Exceptional Dentistry in Palmdale, California are your advocates for health!
