With the new year just getting started, you're likely thinking about all of the ways in which you plan to improve your life in the upcoming months. Whether you've made resolutions related to your teeth in the past or not, now is the year to make your dental hygiene a priority.

Get a Water Flosser
Despite the fact that you've been flossing your teeth for years, your dentist still says that you have food stuck in between each tooth. This frustrating situation can be resolved by adding a water flosser to your daily routine. A water flosser can take a little bit of getting used to, but you're likely to quickly find that this device is more effective and efficient than traditional floss.

Brush After Meals
When you wake up in the morning, your first instinct might be to brush your teeth. This approach is fine, but you also need to brush after breakfast. Brushing after meals is an effective way to better clean your teeth. If the thought of bringing a toothbrush to the office with you leaves you feeling squeamish, make sure to brush after meals when you're at home.

Get a Timer
If you're like a number of people, you simply estimate how long you're brushing and flossing your teeth for. When you go for your next dental appointment, ask the dentist the appropriate amount of time to perform these actions. Then, get yourself a timer in order to ensure that you're brushing and flossing thoroughly.

Practice Technique
Back when you were a kid, your dentist probably showed you how to brush your teeth. Many people forget these skills as they age, so you should ask your dentist at your next appointment at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa to model the appropriate technique for you. Brushing your teeth the right way is crucial to strong dental health.

Adjust Your Diet
The foods and beverages you consume can also take a toll on your teeth. Think about your personal dental goals. When you want to reduce the amount of sugar you're consuming, consider cutting back on how much gum you chew each day. If your teeth are currently at high risk for breaking, make certain to avoid any hard foods until the issue is resolved.

Listen to Your Dentist
When you go to the dental centre in Ottawa, you might simply nod your head as your dentist gives advice and then disregard all of the suggestions once you leave. Remember that your dentist is a professional, and this individual is giving you guidance tailored toward your specific needs. Even if you don't remember all of the suggestions your dentist offers, make an effort to integrate at least one or two of the new techniques into your dental care routine.

Keep Your Appointments
Upon flipping your planner to the next week, you might find yourself groaning when you see that you have a dental appointment scheduled. In fact, you may have gotten yourself into a routine of rescheduling appointments. This habit is one that you must break. Constantly rescheduling appointments interferes with good dental habits.

Identify Your Fears
If you are someone who tends to reschedule or cancel appointments, make a commitment to identify what your specific fears and anxieties are about going to the dentist. Only then can you actually address these issues. For example, you might want a better understanding of what exactly the dentist is doing. Before your next cleaning or procedure, ask questions so that you feel more knowledgeable and confident.

Model Good Behavior
Having kids means that you need to model good behaviors, even when it comes to going to the dentist. For example, if you are constantly complaining about going to the dentist and skipping over your own dental hygiene routines at home, your children are unlikely to take the health of their teeth seriously. When you feel tempted to go to bed without brushing your teeth or to cancel your upcoming cleaning, remember the effect these actions can have on your children.

Committing to your own dental hygiene is a goal that you should set for yourself this year. When the months have gone by and the next new year arises, you're likely to see positive changes and feel motivated to keep up with those new and healthy routines. Visit the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa for your first dental check-up of 2022. Contact us today!