New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Smile

With 2023 well underway, you may have already made your top New Year’s resolutions. 

If not, or if it isn’t already on your list, one common goal many people have is attaining a healthier lifestyle. 

And a big part of a healthy lifestyle is making sure you follow a good oral hygiene routine. Healthy gums and teeth can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. 

You’ll feel confident and attractive with excellent oral health, showing off that bright smile! Our dentists in Medicine Hat recommend these top four tips to maintain maximum oral health this year. 

Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss! 

Brushing and flossing are essential parts of maintaining good oral health. Brushing will protect your teeth from decay and gum diseases, while flossing can remove plaque between the teeth, where decay often begins. 

Without brushing and flossing regularly, you can develop bleeding gums (gingivitis). 

Our dentists in Medicine Hat recommend brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily. 

Eat Plenty of Nutrients

Eating plenty of nutritious food is essential to keeping good oral health. A poor diet can affect the immune system, increasing the chances of common oral disorders like gum disease. Some foods/drinks you should eat plenty of are: 

• Fruits 
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Cheese
• Milk and Yogurt

We know New Year’s Eve is only once a year, so like most, you probably indulge in your favourite alcoholic drinks, but our dentists in Medicine Hat also advise patients to watch their alcohol intake. People who consume four or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting can have increased gum recession. 

Stop Smoking 

Smoking is unhealthy not just for your oral but your overall health. And it’s not just smoking tobacco; smokeless tobacco can be just as harmful to your teeth. Smoking increases your chances of cavities, tooth discolouration, gum disease, and even lung cancer. 

Quitting smoking and the widespread use of tobacco will significantly reduce your risk of tooth loss. 

Come in for Dental Cleanings

Lastly, visit your dentists for regular cleanings and exams to prevent dental health issues. Getting your teeth cleaned helps keep you on track for excellent oral health. 

Dental cleanings help reduce the risk of cavities, gum diseases, and those nasty stains from coffee and red wine. 

Professional teeth cleaning is recommended for optimum dental health every 6 – 12 months. 

We at Park Meadows Dental are complete care family dentists in Medicine Hat and the surrounding communities. We are now accepting new patients for the new year, so book an appointment today!