Making a New Year’s resolution for a healthier mouth

Tips for improving your oral health in 2018

The Minnesota Dental Association is urging all Minnesotans to make a resolution to improve their oral health in 2018. Eliminating bad habits, starting new good habits, and prevention are all key to maintaining good oral health and avoiding the risk of gum disease and other possible systemic conditions.

Mouth-healthy resolutions: Start…

1. Brushing your teeth two times a day for two minutes for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems.
2. Flossing daily.
3. Chewing sugarless gum.Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
4. Drinking fluoridated water. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.
5. Seeing your dentist regularly (every six months)

Stop…

1. If you smoke, seek help with quitting. Smoking can worsen gum problems.
2. Drinking soda. A steady diet of soft drinks can lead to tooth decay.
3. Stop eating sour candies. Sour candies are very acidic and can weaken tooth enamel.
4. Biting your nails. Nail biting can chip teeth and harm your jaw.
5. Brushing too hard. Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums.

For more resources and information about oral health visit www.mndental.org/public.

Information provided by the Minnesota Dental Association.