4 Easy New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier Smile in 2022

What goals are you setting for yourself in 2022? New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to become the best version of yourself, but many of us set lofty or vague goals that we quickly get burned out on. So why not start with something just as simple as it is important, like your smile? Building better oral health habits is an achievable goal that can make a big difference in your health and confidence this year, and for many years to come. Read on as we go over four easy New Year’s resolutions you can make to get a happier, healthier smile.

1.) Get Two Dental Checkups This Year

This year, make it a point to visit your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months, even if your teeth look and feel fine! These regular visits are the best way to spot and stop oral health issues as early as possible, before you can see or feel them, and long before they have the chance to worsen. Additionally, those thorough cleanings will help remove harmful plaque and bacteria from all the hard-to-clean areas of your mouth, dramatically lowering your risk of these issues even developing in the first place.

2.) Learn to Love Brushing & Flossing

We all know that brushing and flossing is important, but most of us don’t practice great oral hygiene as often as we should. Only 1/3 of Americans floss every day and most only brush for 45-70 seconds. Investing a little bit more time and effort into caring for your smile will make all the difference in protecting you from cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Use timers, songs, new dental tools, or reminders on your phone to brush for a full two minutes twice a day and floss daily.

3.) Limit How Many Acidic Beverages You Drink

Soda, diet soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, wine, and even some natural fruit juices like orange juice are all incredibly sugary and acidic. Together, these two elements wreak havoc on your enamel, burning through it and weakening it faster than most other foods and drinks. This year, make a resolution to drink fewer of these beverages, and instead drink more water or milk for a healthier alternative for your smile.

4.) Break Bad Dental Habits

Do you chew on hard objects like pencils, pen caps, or your fingernails when you’re bored or stressed out? Do you sometimes use your teeth to hold your keys, open packages, or rip off price tags? These bad dental habits may seem harmless on the surface, but they constantly wear down your enamel. In the blink of an eye, you could find yourself with a chipped or cracked tooth! Consider making a conscious effort to break these bad habits and lower your risk of a dental emergency.

New year, new you, new smile! Try out these simple, effective, and practical New Year’s resolutions for a healthier smile and better oral health.

About the Practice

At Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care, we’re proud to provide the gentle, personalized dental care you and your family deserve. All our treatments and appointments are focused on the unique goals of each of our patients, and with our wide variety of available services, we can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. To learn more about improving your smile in 2022, we can be reached online or at (908) 322-3222.