A New year’s resolution is defined as a commitment that an individual makes on New Year’s Day – why not this year make a commitment to improve your oral and dental health? Growing smiles (GS) will help!
The word resolution may refer to a number of things depending on its context. The term used in medicine means the subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition e.g. inflammation; in physics and chemistry resolution refers to the act or process of separating or reducing something to its constituent parts e.g. the prismatic resolution of sunlight.
Right! You may well ask, ‘Where is this leading?’ Good question! A bit of GS lateral thinking!
Make 2015 the year you do something that will not only benefit your smile but also your health! Instead of making a blanket resolution to improve your dental health, break down your resolution to its constituent parts (aha the lateral thinking!).
GS can help you improve your oral health in 2015!
– Brush your teeth thoroughly at night and one other time in the day with fluoride toothpaste. Remember to spit out the paste but don’t rinse with water afterwards.
– Clean between your teeth once a day. GS can advise the most suitable product for you to use and show you how to use it.
Effective daily tooth cleaning using brush and interdental aids can help reduce gum inflammation, which benefits both oral and general health.
– Keep sugar containing food and drink to mealtimes only and avoid the hour before bedtime. Use xylitol products after having sugars to reduce potential damage.
– Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Poor nutrition can affect the immune system increasing susceptibility to many common oral problems including gum inflammation.
– Quit smoking or using tobacco products. Tobacco can harm your mouth in a number of ways, increasing your risk of tooth staining, gum disease and oral cancer. Smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers.
– Drink alcohol sensibly – excessive alcohol intake affects overall health and oral health. Alcohol is a risk factor for oral and other cancers, cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis and trauma. The risk of oral cancer is six times higher in those who drink alcohol compared to non-drinkers. Alcohol is the primary cause of liver cancer and is also a risk factor for breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
How much is too much? For men, drinking more than the recommended 3 to 4 units a day, e.g. drinking more than a strong pint of lager or beer ABV 5.2% daily and for women, drinking more than the recommended 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day, e.g. more than a standard 175ml glass of wine ABV 13% on a daily basis. UK alcohol related death rates continue to rise. Alcohol and lifestyles closely related to alcohol misuse can take their toll on your teeth resulting in possible dental erosion, dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal (gum) disease.
Binge drinking – more than 5 standard drinks in one session – seriously increases the harmful effects of alcohol.
– Make an appointment with your dental practice – seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent any dental health problems before they cause discomfort or require more comprehensive or expensive treatment.
– Get a GS coach! Book a one to one session or a GS Happy Huddle – let’s make 2015 the year you have lots to smile about.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015 from all at Growing Smiles 🙂