Dental Care Tips for the New Year
While many people focus on diet and fitness as their New Year’s resolutions, our team at Slate is here to remind you that oral health is a vital piece of your overall well-being. Oral health goals might not seem as glamorous as some dramatic lifestyle changes but developing good dental habits now sets you up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. So, here are 5 tips to help you prioritize your oral health this year.
1. Give Your Toothbrush an Upgrade
A new year calls for a fresh start, and that includes your toothbrush! If you weren’t lucky enough to receive a new toothbrush in your stocking over the holidays, we would STRONGLY recommend purchasing one for the new year. Old toothbrushes or toothbrush heads become less effective as the bristles are worn down, making it harder to achieve high-quality dental care at home. If you still use a manual toothbrush, consider switching to an electric one in the new year. The oscillating bristles clean more thoroughly than manual toothbrushes, removing up to 10 times more plaque. Click here to check out one of our favorites!
2. Please. Please. Please. FLOSS.
Chances are you’ve had this on your to-do list for years. To every dentist’s dismay, flossing tends to be something people really struggle with. Here at Slate, we’re firm believers that if people understood how important flossing is, they’d work much harder to build the habit. Did you know that many dentists and hygienists consider flossing more important than brushing your teeth? Flossing isn’t just sliding a piece of string between your teeth. It stimulates the gums, promotes blood flow, disrupts plaque, and removes debris. It’s the simplest thing you can do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If traditional floss feels cumbersome, try buying a Slate Flosser. Having a fun new gadget that’s easy to hold and super effective might just be the thing you need to become a consistent flosser. Click here to learn more about the Slate Flosser.
3. Hydrate
This one might already be on your list of goals for the new year. We understand how hard it is to choose water over a coffee or soda but staying hydrated is crucial for your overall health, including your oral health. Water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean between brushings. It also helps rebalance the pH balance in your mouth. When you eat or drink something sugary or acidic, the acids from your food interact with the bacteria in your mouth to gradually eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Drinking water frequently can help neutralize some of these effects.
4. Try Tongue Scraping
If you consistently brush and floss your teeth but you’re looking for more ways to improve your overall oral health then tongue scraping is the next step. Dr. Snyder (creator of the Slate Flosser) has often used the analogy that the tongue is like a rug sitting in the center of the room. You may have dusted and wiped down the furniture around it but if you don’t sweep or vacuum then you’re still leaving a lot of dirt behind. Tongue scraping is a fast and easy way to remove any leftover bacteria or gunk still sitting in your mouth at the end of the day. Of course, your teeth are the top priority but tongue scraping is a helpful tool for improving bad breath and aiding your oral microbiome. Lucky for you, each Slate floss head has a tongue scraper on the back. Click here for floss head refills!
5. Commit to Regular Dental Checkups
You have the whole year ahead of you. So, pull up your calendar and call your dentist. If you’re not already, you should be seen every six months for a cleaning and checkup. Now is the perfect time to solidify those dental visits within your schedule. Regular checkups are essential for catching potential issues early and keeping your teeth clean. Did you know that if plaque is not removed regularly (meaning you’re not flossing) that plaque can turn into tartar? Once it’s tartar you need a dental professional to scrape it off. That’s part of why you need to make it a priority to see your dentist every six months, even if your teeth feel fine.
Oral health is built on small consistent habits. Let 2025 be the year that you really start taking care of your teeth. If they’re not given the TLC they need now, then they’ll demand the care they need later. Chances are that will also come with a very expensive dental bill. Yikes. We believe in you! We promise that if you integrate these five tips into your lifestyle you’ll have a healthy smile for many years to come.