Tips on Improving your Oral Health in the New Year

Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA

As we welcome a new year, you may contemplate things you may want to change about yourself. For example, you can improve your overall lifestyle by creating ways to save money, get a better job, or lose weight. Also, consider improving your dental health as part of the journey in the new year since your oral health directly impacts your overall health and well-being. Good oral health goes beyond just brushing and flossing every day. There are other helpful ways to improve your oral health. Today on the blog, our Bloomsburg family dentists at Hamilton Dental Care share tips on improving your oral health in the new year so that you protect your smile.

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables

Eating well-balanced meals and snacks is crucial for your dental and overall health. Poor nutrition directly affects your immune system and can increase susceptibility to common oral conditions, such as gum disease. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from fruits and vegetables improve your immune system’s response to bacteria and inflammation. Our Danville dentists advise patients to consume vegetables, legumes, fruits, and nuts to help guard their oral health. Additionally, raw vegetables and crisp fruits like carrots, celery, and apples can help remove plaque from your teeth and freshen your breath.

Quit Smoking, Vaping, or Using Other Tobacco Products

Smoking cessation is one of the top New Year’s resolutions. Tobacco use is harmful to your oral and overall health. Smoking dramatically increases your risk of gum disease, gum recession, tooth discoloration, and cavities, as well as lung, throat, and oral cancer. Furthermore, in most cases, smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth than nonsmokers. Our Bloomsburg dentists who treat oral cancer warn patients who choose smokeless tobacco that it can be just as harmful to their health. Fortunately, your tooth loss risk decreases when you decide to stop smoking, and your oral and overall health condition improves.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption directly affects your overall health and has detrimental implications for your oral health as well. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, individuals who eat poorly, smoke, and excessively consume alcohol increase their risk of periodontal pocketing associated with gum disease. In addition, their research illustrates that those who drink alcohol and smoke are less likely to brush their teeth regularly and are less worried about their general health condition than nonsmokers. Therefore, our Bloomsburg dentists that treat gum disease recommend limiting alcohol consumption as a way to improve your oral health in the new year.

Establish an Oral Health Care Routine

The new year is an excellent time to re-establish disrupted routines in the past year. For example, it may feel like brushing your teeth once a day is all you can fit into your busy schedule. However, the American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily and flossing each day to remove food debris and bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, persistent plaque build-up increases your risk of cavities when you fail to clean your mouth effectively. Therefore, our family dentists near Danville encourage patients to follow the ADA advice to avoid advanced conditions such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Moreover, progressive gum disease is treatable but not curable and can affect other body systems, resulting in poor overall health.

Visit Your Dentist for Regular Checkups and Cleanings

Regular checkups and cleanings can help prevent common conditions and uncover potential concerns during the early stages, where treatment is most effective. Furthermore, early treatment reduces your discomfort and the risk of comprehensive or expensive future procedures. When you regularly visit our Bloomsburg dental office, we can monitor your oral health and provide recommendations to improve your smile in the new year.

Family Dentists in Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA

Improving your oral health may seem like a small item on your To-Do List for the new year. However, since your oral health condition directly impacts your overall health and well-being, it can have dramatic effects on your body when you decide to improve your oral health in the new year. Feel free to contact Hamilton Dental Care at (570) 387-0533 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today. No matter why you want to improve your smile, our caring Bloomsburg dentists are here to help you on your journey!