The holidays will end and then a fresh new year will come. 2019 will be here sooner than you think! Are you thinking ahead to your resolutions for the new year? Don’t forget your teeth! They’ll be a big part of your year. By committing to taking better care of your teeth in the new year, you’re setting yourself up for success and a healthy smile to boot! Here are some great dental health resolutions for 2019.
Eating Calcium-Rich Foods and Drinking More Water
Let’s keep it easy: if you want healthy teeth, the food that you eat matters. Your teeth are protected by a super-hard layer of calcified tissue called enamel, and that enamel is nourished by calcium. By eating calcium-rich foods, you protect your enamel, which is your tooth’s first defense against decaying substances. If you are already committing to a change in diet in the new year, make sure to add calcium-rich foods to your list of good things to eat that are good for you.
Drinking fluoride-enriched tap water is also an easy thing to do in the new year that will protect your teeth. Fluoride, a mineral found naturally in water and added to some public water supplies for public health, works with the phosphate and calcium in your teeth to strengthen your enamel. By committing to drinking tap water at home or at work (get a re-usable bottle!), you help your teeth and cut down on plastic bottles in the world.
Paying Attention to Pain
If you’re a person who has “toughed it out” when you’ve had tooth pain, make 2019 the year you choose to listen to your body and act when you feel pain. Pain, including regular sensitivity to foods, is a signal that your teeth should get a little extra attention. Make 2019 the year you choose to be proactive about oral pain, not waiting until it gets so bad that it becomes an emergency.
Getting Back to the Dental Office
It has to be said: if you haven’t been to a dentist in a while, make 2019 the year you get back to the dental office. Regular professional cleanings are the best way to ensure your best oral health and prevent serious oral pathology and potential pain. Whether you’re getting started with a new office or getting back to an old relationship, take the time and make an appointment as soon as you can.
Getting Educated on Dental Benefits
If you are fortunate enough to have dental insurance through your employer, make 2019 the year you really get to know your benefits so you know how to use them effectively. Not using your benefits to their full potential means you’re leaving money on the table at the end of the year. Do some reading, ask some questions, then make a plan for your year.
2019 can be your best year for good oral health. We hope these resolutions for a year of great oral health will mean you get to flash your healthiest smile from January and beyond!
Looking for a caring specialty practice that will partner with you and your primary dental clinician for your dental needs? We are a unique practice right in the heart of Boston, conveniently located near the T and built with advanced tools and techniques to take care of you. We would be delighted to join your health care team in 2019. Give us a call today!
