New Year’s resolutions usually revolve around losing weight, drinking less alcohol, or even learning a new skill, but have you thought about dental resolutions? 

Your oral health is crucial for your overall health—and taking a proactive approach can help you protect both. As you prepare to make your resolutions, you have the chance to positively impact your dental health. Give yourself the gift of a healthy smile by considering these dental resolution suggestions for 2024. 

Assessing your current dental health and goals.

The first thing to do to ensure you’re making the right resolution for your smile is to take honest stock of your oral health. Go over your oral health routine and see if there are things you could be doing better. Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If you’re not flossing once a day, what stops you?

Consider habits you may have that impact your oral health. If you drink a lot of coffee, for example, which can stain your teeth, this may be something you want to change. Be honest with yourself, and see what works and what doesn’t in your oral health routine. 

A great way of getting a complete assessment is to turn to your dentist for a checkup. They’ll be able to give you an idea of what goals you should have for your dental health in the coming year. 

Dental Resolutions for 2024

To get the healthy smile you deserve, there are many dental resolutions that you can try. Take a look at some of the top choices:

Committing to consistent brushing and flossing.

Brushing your teeth removes plaque, which eats away at your enamel and makes your teeth more susceptible to damage, while flossing removes food particles that attract bacteria. 

You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once per day, but life can sometimes get in the way of this. This New Year’s Eve, resolve to be consistent with both brushing and flossing. 

Scheduling and attending regular dental checkups and cleanings.

Dentists recommend that you visit them once every six months, but many people forget as the year goes by. You can ensure that you keep this resolution by booking your first appointment right after the holiday season. You can also think about getting regular dental cleanings more often, which helps you protect your teeth from harmful bacteria. 

Reducing sugar and acidic food and beverage consumption.

Sugar feeds the bacteria that form plaque, and plaque damages your teeth. Similarly, acidic foods wear down your enamel. 

To improve your dental health, one of the best things you can do is decrease the amount of sugary and acidic foods and drinks you consume. This doesn’t mean you have to cut them out completely, but you can strive to be more mindful of how often you have them. 

Addressing Dental Anxiety and Seeking Treatment 

If you have dental anxiety, it may keep you from going to the dentist as often as you need to. This coming year, resolve to deal with these worries. You can speak with your dentist about the anxieties you have or even turn to a therapist for some guidance. 

Exploring Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Smile Enhancement

If you’re not happy with your smile and would like to address aesthetic dental concerns, why not see what cosmetic dentistry options are available? For people who have a chipped tooth, for example, getting veneers can be a great option, while those who have discoloration issues can benefit from regular teeth whitening services. 

Staying committed to your dental resolutions throughout the year.

An effective way to stay committed to your dental resolutions is to have a clear goal in mind. It may not be enough to have a generalized goal like improving your smile. Instead, pinpoint the areas that you can fix about your smile, like getting whiter teeth. This gives you something concrete to work toward. 

Additionally, you can adapt your routine. Once you make a habit out of a particular action, like brushing your teeth, you’re more likely to stick to it. If you often forget to brush your teeth at night, for example, go into the bathroom before entering your bedroom. 

Let someone know about your dental resolutions so that you feel accountable. You may even want to tell your dentist what your goals are so that you’ll have the motivation to improve. Tracking your progress also helps. 

Having good dental habits is something that will pay off, helping you maintain not only a smile you’ll want to show off but also good overall health. Brushing and flossing, as well as visiting your dentist more often, all contribute to lowering the chances of the development of cavities and harmful gum disease. 

Achieve a healthier and more confident smile in 2024.

By knowing what you want to improve about your oral health and making a plan on how to achieve this, you can make 2024 the year of dental health. Small but consistent efforts will get you across the finish line. To start planning your dental resolutions for 2024, turn to one of the best dentists in Newport Beach. At Luminous Smiles, we take pride in providing every client with exceptional care and outstanding service. Schedule your visit today.