We’ve all got our new year diet and exercise regime sorted, and after the Christmas excess we can’t wait to get on it. But have you thought about compiling a list of new year resolutions for your teeth? It might sound silly, but with “good teeth” ranking high on everyone’s list of most attractive qualities in a potential partner, not to mention all the health benefits, it might be worth a go.

Here’s a list of suggestions from the team here at Bristol dental practice CK Dental:

Brush twice a day, floss once a day

It sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how many patients at our Bristol dental practice admit that they often forget to brush twice a day. Ideally, you should brush after every meal, but as that’s not convenient for most people, thoroughly brushing morning and evening should be enough to keep the worst of the plaque at bay. Floss in the evenings too, to help get rid of any stray bits of food caught between your teeth, which will eventually turn into plaque if left.

See your dentist every six months

For some reason, trips to the dentist seem to fall low down on many people’s list of priorities – reasons cited usually include a shortage of time or money. In fact, if you get your dental health checked every six months, as recommended, you can save yourself an awful lot of time and money in future. If you’re still concerned about cost, consider signing up with Denplan (click here for more details).

Stop smoking

Smoking is bad for you in so many respects, it’s amazing that such a large proportion of the population still stick with it. It can be particularly bad for your oral health, causing yellow, stained teeth, halitosis (bad breath) and even throat cancer. If quitting smoking isn’t all ready on your list of NYRs, put it on now.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink plenty of water

Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks as much as possible, stick to healthy options such as vegetables and lean meats, and drink lots of water to wash all the sugars off your teeth. This will help with your new year diet plan, as well as keeping your teeth healthy.

Finally, from all the team here at CK Dental practice in Bristol: Happy New Year!