Did Santa bring you a new toothbrush? Did you resolve to make some changes to your oral care routine in 2019? Is flossing now on your “to do” list? If you answered yes to any of these questions (and even if you answered no!) the Brinkley Dental office team is here to support you in making your New Year resolutions a reality.
Why not start the New Year off on a positive note by scheduling an appointment for a teeth cleaning and check up. Let us help you start your new oral health care routine by ensuring there are no problems like cavities or gingivitis lurking underneath the surface, unseen but wreaking havoc. We’ll help get rid of any unsightly plaque giving your mouth a “fresh start.” Do this in January and then book regular cleaning and/or dental appointments on a schedule that suits you and your teeth. For some, that means a visit every three months, others quarterly and for some families it’s a bi-annual trip. Whatever works best for your family, your budget and/or your insurance coverage, Brinkley Dental will accommodate.
Speaking of fresh starts here are just a few friendly reminders to help improve your oral health care routine for all of 2019:
- If Santa didn’t bring you a new toothbrush, go out and splurge on one today. Toothbrushes should be changed every three to four months to avoid bristle breakdown or bacteria buildup.
- Watch the amount of red wine and coffee you are consuming and try to incorporate cleaning your teeth after consumption whenever possible. After all, if your resolutions are to introduce healthier lifestyle, a little less wine or caffeine is a good thing!
- Cut back on the sweets – that’s a no brainer.
- Drink plenty of water. It keeps you hydrated, feeling full and helps “swish out” your mouth when you have indulged in a treat.
- Flossing can be a pain and we’ve talked before about the benefits vs. drawbacks. At Brinkley Dental we suggest if you like to floss, keep it simple and use the handy flossing “picks” now available in the dental aisle of most major retailers. Less fuss, no mess and they might even encourage the non-flosser to take up flossing.
- Brush at least 2x per day. Sure the CDA recommends 3x/day but we are well aware not everyone carries around a toothbrush in a back pocket or purse for a lunch time cleaning. But – what we especially don’t like to see is people falling into bed at night too exhausted to brush. When you do so, it’s like giving bacteria and decay a “free pass” to cause chaos. Please – if you remember nothing else about this blog – remember the mantra “brush before bed!”
Speaking of remembering things – remember to give Brinkley Dental a call and as always, our friendly reminder, “don’t forget to be a BFF with your mouth and Brush that SMILE!”
