Historians have traced the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions to 45 BCE, the first year in which the Julian calendar was used. In those early days, participants would resolve to be better people in general. Over time, however, the practice evolved to focus on improvements that could be made to enhance overall health and happiness.
In many cases, resolutions are ambitious, lofty even, and very difficult to attain. It makes sense, then, that studies have shown only around 7% of people actually follow through on their resolutions. This year, why not make one that is achievable and can have a profound impact on your oral and systemic health?
Floss, Brush, Repeat
You can begin to optimize your at-home oral hygiene routine by committing to flossing twice a day. As we’ve discussed previously on our blog, flossing helps to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. Flossing before you brush both morning and night will help to keep your teeth and gums at optimal health.
Teeth should be brushed 30 minutes after every meal and snack. Waiting 30 minutes to brush allows softened enamel to harden. Drink a few glasses of water during this time to help wash away food particles and debris.
A soft-bristled toothbrush will help prevent enamel damage. So too will avoiding toothpaste with abrasive ingredients such as charcoal. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes each time to help keep your teeth free of infection and decay.
And remember, it is important that you visit our office every six months for professional cleanings and examinations. These allow us to build on your at-home routine and help to prevent both minor and serious oral health concerns. They also allow us to detect problems and provide treatment early on, before more serious issues arise.
Contact Us to Schedule an Appointment
During your routinely scheduled appointments, we can review your at-home routine and help you optimize it based on your specific needs. Please call our Greenville office at 864-288-5300 or our Landrum office at 864-457-3425 to schedule your next appointment and learn more.
