Once the wrapping paper has been thrown out and the gifts are put away (or returned!), many Australians turn to the next holiday ritual: Making New Year’s resolutions. And if you are like most of us, you are already considering a few New Year’s resolutions to improve your health and economic standing.

Here at BDF Dental, we would like to encourage you to take a few a steps to improve your oral health, as improving your oral health also positively affects your overall health and helps protect your budget from unexpected dental and medical costs.

So, here are a few simple things you can do that are guaranteed to keep your smile bright and healthy all year long.

Visit your Dentist Regularly

If you’ve been a little lax about visiting your dentist, the New Year is a great time to get back on track.

While good oral hygiene at home is extremely helpful, it is nearly impossible to remove all plaque and tartar with normal brushing and flossing alone. Moreover, your dentist regularly monitors your dental health to ensure any concerns are identified early, to reduce the chance of developing dental or medical conditions later. This saves time, money, and pain. That’s why dentists recommend taking advantage of preventive dentistry services including a visit every 6 months for a thorough oral examination in addition to a professional teeth cleaning. For certain patients (with other illnesses, with gum disease, etc.), more visits may be recommended.

Dentists are also the most qualified to answer any questions that you have about dental hygiene and prevention of oral diseases. Using modern diagnostic tools and clinical techniques, dentists can help you to maintain your teeth and mouth at optimal health levels.

So, put a reminder on your computer, phone, or calendar, to wake after the festivities and make a dental appointment!

Be Sure your Brushing and Flossing is On-Point

Your life is hectic and dental habits can be among the first that fall to the wayside. This is particularly true during the holiday season, which is why the New Year is a great time for an oral hygiene reset. This year, resolve to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Using an appropriate toothpaste, brush for at least two minutes and be sure to reach those hard-to-get areas.

And commit to flossing at least once every day. After all, flossing is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy smile that lasts for years. Check with BDF Dental , your Beaudesert dentist to be sure that you are flossing correctly and thoroughly.

Eat Fewer Sugary And Starchy Foods

Eating foods with high sugar and starch levels can lead to quick tooth decay. This is because the natural bacteria in our mouths use sugars and starches to produce enamel-eating acids.

Candy, cookies, soda, and juices are among the biggest culprits in tooth decay. It may not be realistic to remove all sugars and starches from your diet, but limiting your intake will improve your oral health in the long run. And good oral health leads to good general health!

Two final notes: Floss and brush thoroughly after eating sugary or starchy foods. And if you must consume sugary drinks, try to do so with a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterwards.

Drink More Water

Adding water to your diet benefits your dental health, as well as your overall health. Not only does drinking more water help you eat better and consume less sugar and starches; it also helps wash away bacteria left on your teeth throughout the day, which will result in a decreased risk for cavities and tooth decay. Finally, it also helps with dry-mouth, which can lead to damage to your dental health.

So this year, make a New Year’s resolution to drink more water. Some experts suggest drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Whether you hit that number or not, by concentrating on it, it becomes easier to increase your water intake.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is the often overlooked tool in your dental hygiene practice. But the fact is that mouthwash can be very effective as part of an overall dental hygiene regimen. And it is so easy – it only takes about 30 seconds and minimal effort to rinse your mouth out with mouthwash. For some people, mouthwash tends to dry the mouth out. If that happens to you, consider using an alcohol free mouthwash or one particularly designed for people with dry mouths.

BDF Dental Is Your Partner In Health

BDF Dental provides premium quality dentistry in Beaudesert. Our goal is to make quality dental care affordable, and help you achieve maximum oral and overall health during the holidays and in the New Year! We offer late and Saturday hours!

Our Promotions

Pay No Gap : NO GAP for Exam, Clean and Scale (with any health insurance) for under 17

No gap Mouthguards or $99 if no health fund.

No Health Insurance : Only $99 for Exam, Clean and Scale (under 17’s)

*New Patients only

Call us at (07) 3351 3366 or request your appointment online today!