With every new year, we set goals to accomplish. Unfortunately, taking care of one’s oral health is usually missing from these resolutions. Let’s change this in 2020 and put in a little effort to take good care of your mouth health because if your mouth is not healthy, there are underlying diseases that can ruin your smile and your overall wellbeing.

Changes as simple as visiting a dentist regularly for a routine dental exam and cleaning, and flossing and brushing every day without missing can improve your oral health significantly. With that said, here are six new year’s resolutions for a healthier mouth and a healthier you.

Brush Your Teeth Two Times a Day For At Least 2 Minutes

• Brushing your teeth regularly is a crucial part of your dental care routine. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. But you must make sure that the size and shape of the brush easily fit your mouth so you can access all the areas within the mouth easily.

The ADA also recommends replacing your brush every two to three months because toothbrushes often suffer damage and their bristles become rough. A worn-out toothbrush will never clean your teeth as good as a new brush.

Floss Your Teeth Daily

• Flossing is also a very important part of an ideal dental care routine. The ADA recommends that you clean between your teeth using floss at least once a day. Flossing regularly prevents gum disease as well as cavities. 

Chew On Suger-Free Gum

• Several clinical studies have shown chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes or more after a meal can effectively prevent tooth decay. This is because gum can increase the flow of saliva in your mouth which is important to wash away debris and harmful bacteria from your mouth.

But you must look for a chewing gum that contains the ADA seal because there are some sugarless chewing gums that are not sugarless despite the fact that it says on the label. The seal of ADA means the chewing gum is approved by the association for dental health care.

Follow a Healthy Diet

• While following a healthy diet can help you reduce weight and fix a number of problems caused by being overweight, good overall health can also improve your dental health significantly.

For example, avoiding sugary and acidity beverages can significantly reduce the risk of plaque that leads to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss. 

• Your diet in 2020 should consist of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy foods. Just make sure to drink plenty of water to promote regular saliva flow in your mouth.

Drink More Fluoridated Water

• Fluoride has natural cavity-fighting properties. Although you can get it from many kinds of toothpaste available at a department store near you, fluoridated water is very important to maintain the health of your teeth.

Fluoride protects the enamel of your teeth which makes it easier for the teeth to resist tooth decay. It is naturally found in most water sources in the U.S, but if the water is not fluoridated in your neighborhood, don’t hesitate to use fluoride supplements as recommended by your dentist.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

• The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist a minimum of two times a year. This means you should visit a dentist every six months. Regular dental exams and cleanings can help protect you from dangerous mouth diseases.

Sometimes these diseases can happen without warning, but this is usually due to the fact that an individual does not visit their dentist for a long time. Some diseases are hard to detect and while there are symptoms, it is impossible to know for sure what the underlying cause is. Only a dentist is able to figure out and provide a timely solution.