The Ultimate Guide to Oral Health from Thornton Dental

2020 is nearly upon us, which means most of us are writing lists of ways to improve in the New Year!

Typically, we make “big” resolutions like saving money, crossing something off our bucket lists, or getting healthy.

Then, midway through January, we surrender our resolutions in frustration. When this happens, the problem is probably with a resolution that is too ambitious or big to achieve. Next year, the process repeats.

Still, making resolutions for the New Year is a way to lead to positive changes, particularly if the resolutions are sensible and achievable.

At Thornton Dental, we are dedicated to supporting and improving your health and life, and maintaining good oral hygiene promotes general health and protects your wallet from unexpected health expenses.

This year, we’d like to help you choose some simple, achievable, and effective resolutions. Here are our suggestions.

Rededicate yourself to brushing and flossing. One simple dental health improvement in the New Year is to improve your brushing and flossing.

Regular brushing should take place twice a day, for at least two minutes each time, so that harmful bacteria can be removed. If you’ve been lapsing at this, just get back to your good dental habits.

Focus on brushing technique. Angle the bristles at 45 degrees against the gum line and move the brush across the teeth. Swap out your old brush at least every four months and if you find brushing difficult, purchase an electric toothbrush.

Similarly, make sure your flossing technique is good and floss at least once a day.

Schedule your dental visits. The New Year is an excellent time to complete dental or cosmetic dentistry procedures that you put off in 2019.

Fillings, dentures, crowns, and implants, all help maintain tooth structure, maintain proper tooth alignment, and help you chew and smile confidently. On the cosmetic side, teeth whitening, veneers, and straightening can upgrade your smile to stunning.

We recommend bi-annual visits to Thornton Dental for a complete teeth cleaning and thorough dental check-up. Regular appointments keep your dental health optimised and catches dental issues before they can progress and become expensive.

Eat those fruits and vegetables. We all know that the vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables support overall health. Poor nutrition affects your immune system, increasing your risk for periodontal and other oral diseases.

Eating plenty of fibrous and nutritious food helps boost your immune system and decrease inflammation in your body. Also, eating fibrous fruits and veggies (along the lines of celery, apples, and carrots) helps scrub plaque from your teeth as you eat.

Avoid too much alcohol or coffee. There are several ways that alcohol harms teeth. First, alcoholic beverages often contain a heavy dose of sugar.

Second, alcohol can lead to dehydration, which leads to decreased saliva production, which in turn leads to enamel-damaging bacteria and tooth decay. Finally, it can adversely affect your overall health, which weakens your dental health as well.

Beware the staining possibility that can also come with coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks. Red wine is extremely well known for this staining power. This is another reason to brush thoroughly or rinse your mouth with water after drinking.

Reduce or eliminate tobacco consumption. Tobacco use can lead to a variety of oral health issues, including:

  • Bad breath
  • Gum disease
  • Stained teeth
  • Tooth loss
  • Oral cancer

If you use any kind of tobacco, the New Year is an excellent time to quit. Consider a healthier habit, such as chewing sugar-free gum, which stimulates saliva flow and washes away bacteria. While non-cigarette tobacco alternatives are sometimes promoted as healthier than smoking, ANY form of tobacco is harmful, quitting all tobacco products is the best way to decrease your risk of tobacco-related health problems.

More water. Water is the healthiest drink choice. The majority of our body is comprised of water, and proper hydration helps distribute healthy nutrients, eliminate waste, give skin a healthy glow and keep muscles moving.

Water is a great mouth cleaner as it washes away food and residue that bacteria use as fuel. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. By drinking enough water, you also help prevent dry mouth and make sure that saliva is produced at a healthy rate.

And, of course, water is calorie-free!

And no matter what you resolve, get your New Year off to a great start by visiting Thornton Dental!

Why Choose Thornton Dental?

Our mission is to make dentistry affordable, without sacrificing the quality of care.

  • We focus on patient care
  • Exceptional infection control
  • Friendly, approachable and experienced team
  • Child-friendly and relaxing environment
  • Patient comfort, safety and satisfaction are our primary goals
  • Customised care tailored to your specific needs
  • Integrity, high standards, premium quality materials
  • Anxiety control and pain management

Thornton Dental has been serving the community of ThorntonBeresfieldTarroWoodberryEast MaitlandChisholmRaworthGreen hillsMetfordAshtonfieldTenambitMorpethLorn and surrounding areas of Maitland.

Call (02) 4966 2996 or visit us at 9/1 Taylor Ave. in Thornton.

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