Seven Resolutions To Improve Your Oral Health

Today is the first day of 2016.

It’s a good day to consider the things we would like to change before the next New Year’s Day arrives.

When you make your resolutions, we hope you will consider some things will make your mouth healthier than it’s ever been. Our team at Total Dental Care of South Carolina

We have a few suggestions that could make your life better … and a few of them will help the people you love, too.

► Resolution 1: Quit Smoking

Where do we begin? Smokers are more likely to have bad breath and stained teeth. Smokers are more likely to have tooth decay and gum disease. Smokers are more likely to develop oral cancer, too.

Should we go on? In addition to improving your teeth, you are helping your overall health.

And don’t think you are off the hook if you use smokeless tobacco. It can be just as bad or worse than smoking. For example, a can of snuff can contain as much tobacco as 60 cigarettes.

► Resolution 2: Stop Snoring

You may be wondering why your dentist would care about this. It’s because dentists can help.

If you have sleep apnea, you should know that snoring is one of the most common symptoms. (If you doubt this, ask your loved ones about.) CPAP machines are the most common treatment for sleep apnea. If you don’t or won’t wear your CPAP mask, then you aren’t treating your sleep apnea … or your snoring.

As an alternative, you can come to our dentist office in Columbia to get a mouthpiece instead. This mouthpiece changes the position of your jaw so that you can breathe easier and snore less during the night.

► Resolution 3: Get Rid Of Your Headaches

Frequent morning headaches … and earaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and sore jaws … could be a symptom of a TMJ disorder. This is a problem with the ball-and-socket joint that allows you to move your jaw so you can eat and speak.

TMJ problems are often the result of grinding and clenching your teeth, which you may be doing in your sleep. Again, our dentist can make a mouthpiece to fix this.

The mouthpiece will prevent your top and bottom teeth from touching (so you can’t grind them). It holds your jaw in a more relaxed position. With time, this can end your morning headaches (and other pains).

► Resolution 4: Visit Total Dental Care Twice For Routine Care

By now, you probably know that you should come to Total Dental Care of South Carolina for professional cleanings and examinations. During your visits, we will remove any plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.

We also will look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. If we find a problem early, your treatment is likely to be more effective and less invasive.

► Resolution 5: Deal With Your Dental Fear

Dental fear is relatively common, and some experts estimate that as many as 1 in 5 people experience some level dental anxiety.

If you or someone you know has dental anxiety, we want to help you receive the care that you need to keep your mouth healthy. We will work with you, and we offer a service that can help you remain relaxed for a cleaning or other treatment.

Sedation dentistry has been effective for many of our patients. We offer four types of sedation. So, whether you have moderate or severe anxiety, we have an option that can help you stay calm and see the dentist.

► Resolution 6: Remember To Floss

The American Dental Association recommends that people should floss once per day, but a 2015 survey showed that 60 percent of Americans do not do this. More concerning to us, 20 percent of Americans never floss.

Considering that up to 80 percent of people have gum disease during their lives, we would encourage you to start flossing (or to continue doing so) in 2016. Otherwise, you may be coming to our office for gum disease treatments.

► Resolution 7: Fix Your Smile

At Total Dental Care, we offer a variety of cosmetic and restorative dentistry. This means we can whiten your teeth.We can close the gaps between your teeth. We can straighten your teeth, or just make them look straighter. 

We can repair damaged teeth. We can even replace a complete arch of missing teeth.

Have A Healthy New Year

We hope 2016 brings many good memories to you and your family, and we hope we will see you during your visits to our dentist office in Columbia, SC.

To learn more about how Total Dental Care of South Carolina can help you, call 803-272-4162 or use our online form to make an appointment.

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