Let’s be honest – most people approach new year’s resolutions as if they were made to be broken. Which is precisely why by the time February rolls around, most good intentions for the new year are a distant memory.
Nevertheless, when the resolutions in question have the very real potential to benefit your health and wellbeing, it’s more than worth making the effort. Or at least, trying your best to make them stick.
Which is why we thought we’d share with you a selection of our own personal favourite new year’s resolutions for a healthy mouth. And if you honestly can’t commit to all of them, at least select a few and see how long they last into 2018!
- I will schedule a dental appointment
If it’s been quite some time since you last saw a dentist, you certainly aren’t in the minority. In fact, research would suggest that most people don’t follow expert recommendations by visiting the dentist at least twice a year. As such, why not make now the time to make that appointment and have a professional give your oral health a thorough inspection? Chances are that if you don’t, you might once again find yourself putting it off indefinitely. - I will go electric
Dentists across the board comprehensively recommend the use of powered oral health and hygiene devices. Which is understandable, given that they themselves use and rely on them. As such, it’s worth making now the time to step up to a new standard by going electric for yourself. Best of all, the early-year sales usually mean that even the very best electric toothbrush of 2018 and the most effective water flosser on the market could be up for grabs for incredibly low prices. In any case, it’s an investment in a higher standard of oral health and hygiene you won’t regret. - I will floss properly and regularly
Contrary to popular belief, brushing your teeth alone is insufficient to keep your mouth clean which is precisely why dentists also universally recommend flossing at least once a day and getting the job done properly. If you aren’t enamoured with the traditional approach to flossing, a powered water flosser could make the whole process so much easier and more enjoyable. In any case, flossing is something you should already be doing on a daily basis and therefore warrants a mention on your list of resolutions for 2018. - I will proactively control my sugar intake
These days, it’s no secret that the vast majority of adults and children alike consume far too much sugar on a daily basis. What’s more, it’s also no secret that there are direct links between sugar intake and a wide variety of health issues in general. With such an extensive array of alternative products available, if really has never been easier to swap our high-sugar products with those that contain less or perhaps no sugar at all. Nevertheless, far too many people continue to ignore the advice of health experts and indulge their sweet-teeth a little too excessively. - I will stop smoking…for good!
Worse still, the damage smoking can do to both your oral health and the health of the rest of your body in general really is shocking to say the least. Doubling the risk of gum disease and significantly increasing the likelihood of potentially deadly conditions like oral cancer, tobacco consumption constitutes a risk that simply isn’t worth taking. In fact, it’s one of few legal and readily available substances that has absolutely no positive or beneficial effects on the human body whatsoever. And given the fact that it costs a fortune and makes you smell rather unpleasant…well, why continue smoking in 2018? - I will acknowledge gum disease
And by acknowledge, what we mean is take a proactive approach to the prevention and treatment of gum disease where it may manifest. Most people incorrectly assume that blood on their toothbrush is perfectly normal and of no consequence. What’s more, others believe that unless they can see and feel noticeable symptoms, they clearly don’t have a problem with gum disease. In reality, this isn’t the case at all. On the plus side, preventing and treating gum disease is often as simple as stepping up your everyday oral hygiene regime, ensuring you thoroughly brush, floss and take care of your teeth and gums to the highest possible extent. - I will proactively prevent stains
If, like millions of others across the UK, you’re obsessed with the whiteness and brightness of your teeth, it’s time to take a proactive stance against stains. The way we see it, it’s pretty pointless to invest the time, effort and money required to whiten your teeth if you then go and stain the living daylights out of them on a daily basis. Just as there are certain foods and drinks that are guaranteed to stain your teeth, others can actively help minimise and prevent surface stains from setting in. - I will tackle teeth grinding
Most people who are entirely aware they grind their teeth do nothing about it. Despite the fact that teeth grinding has a tendency to lead to chipped, cracked, loose and broken teeth. Simply by bringing the problem to the attention of a doctor or dentist, chances are it can be addressed quickly and painlessly – so why not do it? - I will finally consider braces
If not particularly happy with the straightness or general layout of your teeth, why not make 2018 the year you finally do something about it? Contrary to popular belief, braces aren’t only about improving the visual appearance of your teeth. They can also make a significant difference to your overall oral health. And with such an extensive variety of braces to choose from to suit all budgets, there’s never been a better time to explore the available options. - I’ll kick the habit
Last but not least, we recently published a post detailing some of the most potentially dangerous and damaging habits for your teeth and gums. Biting your nails, chewing the tops of pens and pencils, chomping ice cubes, using your teeth as a tool and so on – the list is relatively extensive to say the least. Nevertheless, what every entry has in common is its potential to do serious damage to your teeth – and for no good reason. As such, we strongly advise making 2018 the year you kick that nasty habit once and for all – whatever it may be!