Resolutions For Better Oral Health!

As you reflect on the last year and how you want to evolve in the coming year, your friends at Excel Dental have a few ideas to inspire you!

7 Oral Health Resolutions For The New Year!

Here are seven resolutions from your Ozark dentists that you can make for 2020 that can help you build a healthier, brighter smile!

Cut Back On Sugary Drinks

You’d be surprised at how much sugar those specialty coffee drinks contain!

Not only are you filling your body with lots of empty calories, but you’re putting yourself at risk for tooth decay and cavities.

So if stopping by the gourmet coffee shop on your way to work is part of your normal routine, try to cut back slowly at first, to only one or two times a week, until you’re able to give up those sugary drinks.

Eat Healthier Snacks

You don’t have to make huge changes to your diet when the new year begins. Smaller changes will give you a better chance at being successful over the long term, so instead of cutting anything out completely, start adding healthy snacks to your daily diet.

Teeth-friendly foods like raw veggies, fresh fruits, lean protein, nuts, and dairy products are all essential to building a strong smile and are much healthier overall than chips, pretzels, and other processed snacks!

Use Your Teeth The Right Way

Your teeth have one job. They’re there to help you eat.

But, of course, they’re also the most important part of an attractive smile. So if you’re someone who tends to use your teeth as tools, resolve to stop in 2020!

Avoid biting your nails, chewing on pens or pencils, or using your teeth to open or tear packaging of any kind. Use your teeth to chew your food, and you’ll have a better chance of preventing dental damage that can make your mouth unheathy and your smile unsightly!

Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, you certainly don’t need a lecture from us. You already know how it impacts your health.

We understand how tough it is to quit smoking, but because we care about you, we want you to be aware of what this habit does to your dental health, as well.

Smokers and tobacco users are at a significantly higher risk for oral cancer and gum disease, not to mention the obvious cosmetic issues you’ll face with deeply-set stains on your teeth.

Make a commitment to yourself this year to try to give up your tobacco habit for good!

Finally Get A Mouthguard

A customized mouthguard from a skilled dentist can benefit your oral and overall health, as well as your quality of life.

We can take thorough measurements of your mouth to design a custom guard if you’re someone who:

Plays a contact sport
Grinds your teeth
Snores or suffers from sleep apnea

Mouthguards and other oral devices that are made especially for you can protect your teeth and gums from sports-related dental injuries, prevent you from damaging or wearing down your teeth while you sleep, and even keep your airways open throughout the night so you can get a better night’s rest.

Plan Ahead For Dental Emergencies

Being prepared is the best way to handle dental emergencies with ease when they happen. One of the ways you can do this is to have an emergency kit specifically for unexpected dental problems. You can fill it with items like dry cloths, guaze, a dental mirror, dental cement, OTC pain relievers, plastic or latex gloves, and a small sealable container.

Another tip is to save our phone number in your contacts so you don’t have to waste a moment searching for emergency dental care when you need it most!

Put Your Dental Exams On The Calendar

You might be overwhelmed at our list, but the good news is that one of the most important resolutions you can make for your teeth and gums is also the easiest.

It’s to go ahead and get your two dental cleanings and exams for the year on the calendar!

By getting the scheduling out of the way now, you’ll have plenty of time to work around your appointments as the year gets busier, and you won’t have to worry about working them in at the last minute.

Call your Ozark dentists today at (417) 581-3600 or fill out our online form to schedule your next appointment at Excel Dental! Let us help you start the new year with a healthy smile!

Excel Dental

Dr. Tracy Davis and Dr. Jim Oslica

The careers of Dr. Jim Oslica and Dr. Tracy Davis have followed similar paths, and they are excited to offer exceptional smile care to residents of southwest Missouri! Dr. Oslica originally hails from St. Louis but moved to Ozark at a young age and graduated from Ozark High School. Dr. Davis’ hometown is Conway, though she moved to the Springfield area in 2004 to be closer to family. Graduates of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, they both have earned many accolades and memberships in prestigious medical associations. For example, Dr. Davis has received national recognition as a dental researcher while Dr. Oslica is an active member of the American Dental Association. Drs. Davis and Oslica love to help our patients smile with more confidence and providing you top-notch, comprehensive dental care in a warm environment.