Ready, Set, Goals: Three Simple Steps to Better Oral Health in 2019

This is where your oral health routine comes in!

It’s easy to forget how connected our oral health is to our bodies, but don’t be fooled. Poor oral habits can lead to diseases like endocarditis and cardiovascular disease. If you’re pregnant, it’s even more important to keep up with your dental care as conditions like periodontitis has been linked to unwanted birth defects like premature birth and low birth weight.

So, what is the easiest way to avoid these dental-induced health dilemmas? Set healthy oral health goals for 2019, and commit to sticking with them.

Goal #1 – Commit To Going To The Dentist

Many people, even those with dental coverage, do not take advantage of this benefit. Think about going to the dentist the same way you would your yearly flu shot vaccine. Preventative care can only help if you decide to use it, so do your best to take advantage. Want to be reminded when it’s time for your yearly cleanings? Make sure to register your free MySmile account and we’ll handle the rest.

Goal #2 – Kick a Bad Habit

In general, habits require about 30 days of practice before they become second nature to you. In the spirit of breaking bad habits, the start of a new year is the perfect time to put a sunset date on that smoking habit that may be yellowing your teeth, or practice relaxation techniques to prevent you from grinding your teeth at night or when stressed.

Goal #3 – Challenge Yourself To Floss Daily

Add regular flossing to your hygiene routine and you can have a tremendous and positive impact on your oral health. Because our teeth develop with five unique surfaces, brushing alone isn’t enough to remove bacteria and plaque buildup. Even with an electric toothbrush, nothing is quite as effective as taking the time to floss. If you find that you’re having trouble keeping yourself accountable, try to make flossing fun by challenging a friend or a partner to a flossing challenge for 2019.

Do you have health goals for the new year?

Join the conversation and share them with us on Twitter!

* Delta Dental of Washington, 2018