What's Your New Year Resolution?

2013 is a new year and a new opportunity to take better care of yourself and your overall health.  But few people realize that taking care of your body should include your teeth! Improving your dental health and preventing tooth decay can have a larger impact on your overall health.  All too often resolutions are broken by February and its because people make them too difficult.  There are simple things that you can do that can lead to a longer, happier, healthier life.

Make sure you get an annual physical which includes a blood test.  Knowing your blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other vital statistics can help you take proper measures recommended by your physician to put you on the right track to good health.  Many diseases can have an effect on your teeth and gums and your dentist can recommend ways to battle those complications.

Drop the diet soda!  It contains all kinds of chemicals and many studies say that it can even make you hungrier.  There is really nothing good about them.  Switch to water, unsweetened tea or coffee in moderation.

While on the soda subject, go cold turkey on regular sodas and sports drinks.  They are loaded with sugar.  Cutting these out of your diet alone has been shown to cause people to shed pounds quickly and stay off.

Learn how to floss!  It doesn't  take long and once you learn, it's simple and just takes a minute per day-yet no one does it! If your not sure how to floss properly, we can show you.  The benefits for healthy gums are numerous, including fresher breath, a lifetime of teeth, reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Make 2013 the year.

Make sure you're brushing your teeth at least two times each day, your brushing long enough(at least three minutes) and change your soft bristled toothbrush every three months or after your sick.

Start fresh for this New Year's resolution and make an effort to take better care of you and your teeth.  The brighter smile will not only give you more confidence, but your body  will thank you for an overall improvement in health.

And don't forget , as always, visit your dentist regularly.  We want to help pinpoint and treat any potential problems early.