The best time to start new habits? The beginning of a new year! It’s easy to lose focus at the end of the year, whether that’s with your diet, fitness goals, or even flossing. So, with the new year before us, use this time to set your resolutions and find the motivation to stick with them. We suggest adding better dental hygiene to your list.

There are many ways to benefit your mind, body, and soul, and proper dental hygiene plays a role in most of them. Poor dental hygiene can cause cavities or gum disease, but it can also cause heart disease and diabetes. So what does proper dental hygiene involve, exactly? Let’s take a look.

Brushing. We all know that you should brush your teeth in the morning and the evening. When you wake up in the morning, brushing your teeth removes microbes from your teeth and gums, which contributes to that icky morning breath. Brushing at night helps remove the plaque, bacteria, and food particles you’ve ingested throughout the day. If you brush your teeth more than twice daily, ensure that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your teeth, enamel, or gums. 

Flossing. Floss reaches areas that your toothbrush can’t. This helps remove plaque and bacteria, leading to cavities and gum disease. You should floss (at least) once a day; if you floss only once, you should do so at the end of the day, after dinner (and dessert), to ensure you get the most out of it. If you prefer to floss after each meal, make sure that you use a gentle technique and are extremely careful to avoid irritating your gums. 

Mouthwash. Much like floss, mouthwash can reach places that your toothbrush can’t. The ingredients in mouthwash work together to kill lingering bacteria in your mouth, strengthen teeth, and prevent gum disease. The great taste is just an added benefit. 

Visit your dentist. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we have the best patients! We’d love to see you all of the time, but we hope to see you twice a year for preventative maintenance. This includes x-rays (once each year), plaque removal, a thorough cleaning, and extra attention to anywhere that needs it or that you have questions about. When you routinely visit the dentist, we can help you take care of your teeth and gums and stop any problems before they become too serious. 

Watch what you eat. Sugary foods and drinks increase the risk of cavities and bacteria and can even cause your enamel to erode. Caffeine and alcohol can cause dry mouth, leading to bacteria and even oral cancer. Try to limit these whenever possible to help keep your mouth as healthy as possible. 

We have some of the best patients, and we know you do everything in your power to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. So here is your annual reminder to brush, floss, and use mouthwash. Then, give us a call and schedule your next appointment. We hope this year is your best yet! 

The new year is the perfect time to make a resolution to take better care of yourself. People frequently overlook their teeth, gums, and overall oral health when considering their well-being. While it can be easy to put off going to the dentist, ignoring any dental problems can lead to much more significant issues in the future. This year, make a New Year’s resolution for 2021 to step foot into the dentist’s office and make your dental health a priority. 

A recent survey by the American Dental Association found that around 42% of Americans don’t go to the dentist as often as they would like to. Many adults assume that if they are not experiencing tooth or gum pain, their oral health must be fine. However, having a routine checkup is essential to proper dental health and can prevent future issues down the road. When you frequently skip yearly or bi-yearly dentist appointments, you put yourself at a higher risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and possible infections. Your dentist will be able to identify any potential concerns and can address them before the issue becomes more serious.

The previous year was hard on so many of us, especially when it comes to finances. Being able to pay for medical visits and checkups is a major concern for a lot of people. If you have dental insurance, you will generally have 2 covered visits to the dentist per year for routine checkups and cleanings. Additionally, preventative care is a much cheaper alternative to having to pay thousands of dollars when a dental condition requires more expensive treatment. Practicing good dental hygiene and making sure to visit the dentist routinely will save you money in the long run. 

Having a dentist appointment during COVID may understandably make some people hesitant to visit in-person. Most dental practices follow strict CDC and ADA guidelines to ensure that patients feel safe throughout the entirety of their appointment. Here at Cakmes Dental Studio, we are taking every precaution so that our guests feel comfortable during their visit. Read more about our safety policies here. 

Don’t delay in scheduling your 2021 dental cleaning and get a headstart on a new year of healthy teeth and gums. Making an appointment or consultation with Cakmes Dental Studio is easy! Call (865) 584-6163 to schedule an appointment or visit our website to schedule an appointment online and let us help you achieve a year of a healthier smile!