Use the New Year as your time for a dental hygiene status check
Is This the Year You Finally Take Control of Your Dental Health?
If you are like a lot of patients we see at Janssen Dental Clinic, you do a pretty good job of taking care of your teeth and overall oral health, but there are still areas in which you know you could improve. Starting a new calendar year is as good of time as any to take the next step in creating a healthier you, and that includes leaving as little to chance as possible when it comes to your mouth.
Your teeth are strong and do a great job presenting your smile to the world. However, what you eat and drink, along with how often you perform simple maintenance such as flossing, will determine in large part how long that smile of yours stays intact. Perhaps you are already seeing the effects of years of smoking or coffee drinking on what used to be your pearly whites.
Rather than hoping your teeth and gums remain healthy, why not take the opportunity of a New Year to make some changes? After all, Dr. Craig Janssen and our team typically see you only twice per year. (And that’s if you keep your regular six-month appointments!) You are in charge of your oral hygiene all 365 days per year, and you have the power to minimize many risk factors.
Yes, flossing daily is a good thing – Other than regular brushing, flossing at least once per day is the best thing going when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and keeping gingivitis at bay. If the thought of running dental floss around your teeth makes you cringe, maybe this is the year for you to try out one of the electric alternatives on the market that use a more comfortable stream of water.
Stay hydrated – When we mention hydration, we’re referring to water, not the caffeine-loaded drinks such as coffee that actually serve to dehydrate your body. Water is the basic substance your body and brain need to operate at peak efficiency. According to a recent National Institutes of Health study, adults who stay well-hydrated tend to live longer, healthier lives while developing fewer chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. Water also helps clean bacteria and sugars from your mouth, not to mention it doesn’t leave a stain.
Eat healthier snacks – What is the first thing you grab for when those mid-morning or mid-afternoon hunger pangs come calling? Is it a bag of chips or some other sugary snack? This year, consider mixing in some lower-calorie, healthy choices such as nuts, fruits and veggies. You might be surprised how much more stable your energy level will be, too.
About Janssen Dental Clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Janssen Dental Clinic features the dental expertise of Dr. Craig Janssen, a third-generation dentist serving patients in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area. Dr. Craig and his staff specialize in oral health as a component of overall well-being, a philosophy of care known as biological dentistry. They have expertise in reducing the fear and anxiety that people of all ages feel over going to the dentist, with services ranging from routine cleanings to restorative and cosmetic procedures. Call (920) 983-8383 to schedule an appointment. New patients are always welcome.