Now that the holiday season has passed and the new year has arrived, many people are busy making resolutions to improve their health in 2025. Getting more exercise or losing weight are admirable goals, but don’t forget that your dental condition matters, too!
If you indulged your sweet tooth over the past couple of weeks (or months), then you’re at an increased risk of common oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and other injuries. Continue reading to learn about 3 ways you can keep your smile happy and healthy year-round!
Goal #1: Eat Healthier Foods
It can be impossible to resist all the many wonderful meals and treats available during the longer, colder winter months. Whether you’re a fan of hot cocoa or candy canes, there’s a good chance you’ve consumed ingredients that can harm your teeth. For example, sugar attracts unhealthy bacteria that contribute to cavities and gum disease, and alcoholic beverages can erode your enamel with their high acid content or leave stains.
You can make up for it by choosing more wholesome foods that support your teeth and gums, instead. Yogurt, milk, cheese, and other dairy products contain plenty of calcium for strong teeth and bones. Meanwhile, many citrus fruits and leafy greens are full of vitamin C to support your connective tissues.
Goal #2: Drink More Water
If you tend to sip on caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, or dark sodas, you might not be doing your mouth any favors. Although they can boost your energy and concentration, they’re highly acidic and can wear down your enamel, increasing your vulnerability to decay. Not only that, but they contain tannins, chemical compounds that give many plants their astringent flavor. These particles are darkly pigmented and can cling to your teeth, tinting them a deeper shade of yellow or brown.
Drinking more water helps because it has a neutral pH balance to counteract acid damage to your enamel. Plus, it rinses away leftover food, debris, or unhealthy germs so your mouth is more resistant to dental problems.
Goal #3: Improve Your Routine
You likely already know that brushing twice daily is essential for preventing cavities because it gets rid of a great deal of plaque and bacteria. However, it’s difficult to scrub between your teeth or beneath your gumline with the stiff bristles of your toothbrush; that’s what floss is for! You need both to thoroughly clean your teeth enough keep oral issues at bay.
The new year is the perfect time to review your current habits and make adjustments as needed to support your grin!
Meet the Author
Dr. Stephen Tomaszewski has nearly 20 years of experience helping families in Slidell build and maintain their most beautiful and resilient smiles. He earned his DDS degree from the LSU School of Dentistry and then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency while living in Okinawa, Japan with the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. Now, he is voted as a “Top Dentist” ever year by his peers in New Orleans Magazine, so you can trust that you’re in good hands. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (985) 641-4444.
