Many of us kick off the New Year with resolutions to make life in the coming months even better than the past. From new weight loss plans and exercise regimens, to goals for personal and professional development, New Year resolutions begin with your morning routine and end just before you close your eyes to sleep.
To start the New Year on a path towards health and happiness, you should replace your family’s toothbrushes. It is important to choose a strong yet soft bristled, appropriately sized toothbrush based on each individual to minimize discomfort and maximize effectiveness. Using this new toothbrush twice each day for at least two minutes, guarantees healthier teeth, fewer cavities and the added benefit of fresh breath. Replacing each toothbrush every three to four months further guarantees a clean, bacteria-free smile.
The next step to kick off the New Year on a healthy foot is to eat three balanced meals and plan healthy snacks each day. Snacking on nuts and fruit encourages saliva production and natural teeth cleaning, while eating sources of low fat, calcium and protein promote bone strength. Planning a diet high in protein, calcium and nutrients builds strong bones and muscles, allowing for weight loss, strength building and dental health.
Chewing sugarless gum between meals can also aid in both weight loss and improved mouth-health. Snacking on sugarless gum can ward off food cravings and minimize distraction and stress eating. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following each meal reduces random snacking and can help prevent tooth decay.
Staying hydrated should also be a daily priority as 2017 begins. While many of us instinctively grab water throughout the warm, summer months, it is easy to forget to drink plenty of water all year long – regardless of the temperature. Drinking fluoridated water throughout the day can help your family to stay on track for a healthy year by making teeth resistant to acid that causes cavities and helping dieters stay full, longer, minimizing overeating and cavities.
Ending each busy day by flossing removes food particles and prevents painful dental problems. Encouraging children to floss their teeth before bed creates a positive, healthy habit, while minimizing bacterial growth and tooth decay as they sleep. Flossing can also prevent late night snacking due to the satisfying feeling of a clean, fresh mouth, aiding in a healthy lifestyle all year long.
While daily habits are the basis for a healthier lifestyle, maintaining annual dental appointments for the year is equally important. Scheduling regular dental visits is the most proactive way to create and support a healthy mouth, allowing your family to identify problem areas, minimize unnecessary pain and prevent tooth decay. Planning daily and annual activities creates long-term, positive hygiene habits that will far surpass the next 12 months.
Whether this year’s resolutions focus on improving your intellect or physical appearance, overall health begins and ends with healthy habits. Make dental hygiene a priority in 2017 and create a happy, healthy mouth for years to come.
