With 2018 just around the corner, you’re likely thinking of some New Year’s resolutions you
want to make. What better way to improve yourself than to improve your smile? A great smile
isn’t just about looks, it’s also about health. A healthy smile tends to both look and feel great!
With the New Year in mind, here are the top 5 New Year’s resolutions you’ll want to make to
have a beautiful smile all year long.
1. Visit Your Dentist
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, there’s no better time than now to commit to
going. With appointments every 6-12 months, this is a time commitment that everyone can
make. Visits to the dentist can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and can even help catch oral
cancer early. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to get a dental exam and a
professional cleaning. Your smile will thank you!
2. Don’t Smoke
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your smile as well as your body. Smoking is
one of the biggest risk factors for certain types of cancer, including oral cancer, as well as gum
disease. Smoking also discolors teeth and often causes a yellow or brown tinge to your tooth
enamel. That doesn’t sound like the smile you want in the New Year!
There are more resources now than ever for quitting smoking. Talk to your dentist or your
doctor about quitting. There is hope that one day you’ll be cigarette-free, and remember—e-
cigarettes and chewing tobacco aren’t any better for your oral health!
3. Floss
There’s been some debate about whether flossing actually makes much of an impact on your
smile, but dentists remain firm—flossing should continue to be part of your oral care routine.
Flossing helps remove plaque and food debris from the sides of your teeth, which can’t be
reached with a toothbrush. Flossing needs to be done just once per day and only takes a few
minutes. This is an oral health improvement you can surely commit to doing!
4. Improve Your Diet
More research is showing just how crucial your diet is to your oral health. Diets high in sugar
and processed foods can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, while diets rich in whole foods
help supply your smile with the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and strong. In 2018, make
a commitment to eat more fruits and vegetables in addition to lean protein sources and healthy
fats such as walnuts, fish, and avocado. These diet improvements may help your pearly whites!
5. Limit Your Alcohol
Alcohol, like smoking, is a big risk factor for many cancers, including oral cancer. Alcohol is also
very damaging to your tooth enamel and can increase your risk of tooth decay. Like soda, it’s
very acidic and corrosive. For one of your New Year’s resolutions, try to limit your alcohol
intake. How much is too much? Many experts agree that 1 drink a day for women and 2 per
men is the maximum you should have!
Are you ready to ring in 2018 with a super smile? By incorporating these five resolutions into
your oral care routine, you can have a beautiful smile not just for the New Year, but for life.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist to set up a long-term care plan for one of the best
and most important things about you—your smile!
