As the year nears its close, you feel the energy inside you coming to a crescendo, as you contemplate the upcoming calendar cycle with a sense of renewed hope and excitement. You ponder on what changes you’ll make and goals you’ll accomplish. As you go back-and-forth in your mind debating over what should be at the top of your list, your dentist in Lincoln says that oral health should definitely be inserted in the upper tier. Feel free to continue reading to learn why your oral care is so important for your future and how preventive dentistry can fortify it.
Why is Oral Health So Important?
Your oral health is important because it will have an impact on not just your mouth, teeth and gums, but your overall health. Here are some of the effects discussed:
- Effects on Overall Health – Your oral health will play a role in dictating your total wellness because everything in the body is connected. That means that poor maintenance of your oral cavity can lead to greater problems like heart attack and stroke. This is because the same blood that flows through your mouth, also permeates the rest of your body.
- Confidence – The condition of your oral health will factor into your confidence because the better your care is, the better the condition of your teeth will be. Furthermore, studies show that one third of Americans say that the first trait they notice about a person is his or her teeth. Therefore, given that you know how important a nice smile is to the image people have of you, you will feel more confident when you have done the things necessary to maintain pleasing looking teeth.
- Lifestyle – Another important fact to keep in mind, is that your dental wellness will have a direct impact on your lifestyle. For example, if you fail to practice excellent oral hygiene, you can expect to eventually have gum disease. And if that is not addressed, you could develop a severe infection and tooth loss. Events like these will bring about major changes that will impact your ability to enjoy life.
Ways to Improve Your Oral Health in the New Year
Thankfully, there are some simple things that you can do to enhance your wellness in the new year. Below listed are a few of them:
- Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth – Practicing excellent oral hygiene is one of the keys to protecting your oral cavity, and two of the top practices that must be maintained are brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. The former will agitate and remove bacteria and food debris, while the latter will allow you to get into hard-to-reach places between your teeth, where bacteria like to hide.
- Using Mouthwash – A great supplement to use along with the previously mentioned, is mouthwash. It helps to keep your mouth moist and remove any lingering bacteria.
- Healthier Eating – By choosing to eat healthier in the new year, you are helping to create an environment that is less conducive for the harmful bacteria to survive in. One of the reasons for this is that nutritionally dense foods help to raise the pH level in your mouth, which encourages better digestion and protects your teeth’s enamel.
- Semi-Annual Dental Visits – One of the great assets you have available to you is your local dentist. By maintaining six-month visits, you will allow him to catch any budding issues early and provide you with a thorough cleaning. These are important advantages because they allow you to approach your oral health from a proactive standpoint and not one of constantly reacting to problems.
To start your path to a year of amazing successes, contact your local dentist to schedule your initial appointment, and be confident that your oral care is in excellent and capable hands, so that you can get on with the other activities necessary to hone in on your goals.
About Author
Dr. Louis Olberding received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. A member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Olberding practices at Olberding Dental and can be reached for more information through his website.