Many of us see the new year as a time for new beginnings. It takes place at the darkest, coldest part of the year, which makes it a nice time to reflect on how to make the new year a success. One resolution that many people make is to take better care of their health. Here are some tips on keeping health-related new year’s resolutions.
Resolution to Exercise More
Getting enough exercise has many health benefits, both physical and mental. People who exercise regularly suffer from less depression, less heart disease, less obesity, less diabetes, and less anxiety. Many of these conditions affect dental health; for example, someone who is depressed might not be able to keep up with his or her brushing and flossing routines. Someone with heart disease might see a lot of gum inflammation, and a person with diabetes can develop difficult-to-treat dental infections.
Making the resolution to exercise more can be as simple as getting up and getting in 15 minutes of movement first thing in the morning. Go for a brisk walk, do a 15-minute exercise video in your living room, or just go up and down the stairs in your home several times. Remember that a little exercise is better than no exercise; if you get to the end of the day and realize you haven’t had any physical activity, put a little pep in your step and walk around the house while watching a YouTube video or listening to music. Every little bit helps.
Resolution to Improve Dental Health
Teeth are easy to neglect until they start giving you trouble. If you don’t have any signs of cavities or gingivitis, you might think that everything is fine… until it’s not. Pick up the phone right now and schedule an appointment if you are overdue for a cleaning and a checkup. Also, make flossing part of your daily routine: Decide what time of day is best and find a way to incorporate it into what you’re already doing. Maybe you can floss while catching up on your favorite shows on Netflix!
Resolution to Eat Better
Cutting down on sugar and saturated fat is a great way to boost your overall (and dental) health. Cutting some of these items out of your weekly shopping trip can be one way to stop cravings in their tracks. You’ll likely find that if you can make it through a few days of less sugar, cravings will subside significantly. You might experience a reduced blood pressure, better sleep, less sickness, and, of course, fewer cavities. It’s worth it to take this step toward better health!
Give us a call if you have questions about how your overall health impacts your dental health. If you’re due for a cleaning or you need some work taken care of, schedule it now. Have a healthy and happy new year!
