New Year, New Teeth! Five Habits You Need To Kick Plus Five Habits to Start in 2017!

New year, new teeth! Make your New Year’s resolution devoted to keeping your teeth healthy and strong in 2017!

5 Habits to Kick

1. SAY GOODBYE TO SUGAR!
   Sugar is the #1 enemy of your teeth, and the longer it stays in your mouth, the worse it is. Sugar is consumed by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. The acids eat away at tooth enamel and create tooth decay. In the United States, 20% of people face tooth decay. Start the new year by avoiding sodas, coffee, sugary drinks, and jelly candies.
2. QUIT SMOKING.
   The nicotine and tar in cigarettes not only turn your teeth an unsightly shade of yellow, but they also eat away at your gums. Smoking creates a ripe environment for bacteria and plaque to build up on your teeth and along the gum line. This then goes on to harm tissue, degrade the bone that supports teeth, and, eventually, increases your risk of tooth loss. Even worse, tobacco chemicals can lead to oral cancer
3. STOP CHEWING ON ICE.
   Ice cubes may seem harmless but, the cold temperature and hardness of ice cubes can cause serious damage to your teeth. Our teeth are designed to crush through things, not go against something. Even though crunching ice with your teeth may be easy, keep in mind, your blender needs special blades to crush ice!
4. YOUR TEETH ARE NOT TOOLS!
   Many people use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a package of potato chips, or even unscrew bottle tops. Teeth are meant to help us do three things: chew food, speak properly, and look better when we smile. Using your teeth as a tool is a threat to dental health and can damage dental work or cause your teeth to crack.
5. STOP BITING YOUR NAILS.
   Biting your nails doesn't just harm the appearance of your hands, it can also damage your teeth and become an oral hygiene issue. People who bite their nails usually do it chronically, which can cause your teeth to move out of place. In addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter.

5 Habits to Start

1. START FLOSSING REGULARLY.
   The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day. With a toothbrush, you're missing almost two-thirds of the teeth. Brushing alone cleans teeth's outer and inner surfaces but misses the sides, paving the way for infection. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Flossing may also help prevent gum disease and cavities.
2. TWO MINUTES, TWICE A DAY.
   When you brush your teeth, you help remove food, plaque, and bacteria that build up in your mouth throughout the day. Brushing your teeth regularly saves you money because when you care for your teeth properly you are less likely to need dental work down the road.
3. SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR OLD TOOTHBRUSH.
   Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are irregular or frayed. If the bristles become frayed or worn with use, cleaning effectiveness will decrease.
4. SCHEDULE REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS.
   It is recommended that you schedule a dentist appointment every 6 months. Make your next appointment right after your current appointment to help you stay on track, reserve the best time that works for you, and stay ahead of your dental health care. Visit your local Smilist in Rockville Centre.
5. DRINK MORE WATER.
   It is important that you drink plenty of water and keep your mouth hydrated. Saliva bathes the teeth and helps remove plaque and bacterial accumulations from the teeth's surface. Less plaque equals less risk for bacterial acids to cause decay. If you do cave and have a sugary drink, rinse your mouth with water between drinks.