The beginning of the year is the best time to begin a new habit or to set out to accomplish a new goal. If you are having trouble coming up with a New Year’s resolution, we suggest that you resolve to smile more. Here are some quick and easy suggestions so you can make this resolution a reality.

Strive for the best oral care

Be honest, is your oral care the best that it can be? If not, take steps to improve this year. The first step is to make sure you brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time; try using a toothbrush timer or a brushing app on your phone. Many electric toothbrushes have timers built into them. If you have an electric toothbrush, check the manufacturer’s website to see if it has a timer and if so, how it works. Use a fluoride toothpaste when you are brushing to help strengthen and remineralize your teeth.

The next step would be to floss daily. If you tend to forget to floss before brushing your teeth, carry floss with you in your pocket or purse to help remind you throughout the day. Some dental work, such as braces, fixed retainers, or bridges, make it more difficult to floss. Don’t be discouraged if this is the case, call our Evanston dental office or speak to your dental hygienist the next time you are at our office.

Our staff is happy to offer tools to help making flossing easier. Another option may be a Waterpik. At our Evanston dental office, we recommend the ShowerPik which connects right to your shower head. This is a quick and easy way to floss while you’re in the shower.

If you are more prone to getting cavities, add a fluoride mouthwash to your routine, or schedule an appointment with one of our Evanston dentists to see if prescription strength fluoride toothpaste is right for you.

Make your smile sparkle

You say your oral care already is impeccable, but your teeth still are yellowing or discolored? Make a resolution to whiten your teeth this year. At our Evanston dental office, we offer Stephens Dentistry’s Whitening Club which includes all the tools you will need not only to whiten your smile, but also maintain your smile throughout the year. With Stephens Dentistry’s Whitening Club, you receive custom whitening trays and whitening gel. Our Evanston dentists recommend using the trays each night for 4 to 7days for 30 minutes or until your teeth are as white as you would like. If your teeth are sensitive, we recommend adjusting the frequency of your whitening.

You may have whitened your teeth in the past, but noticed that after time, they are again stained. With our whitening club, you received complimentary tubes of whitening gel throughout the year to help you keep your teeth white.

Let your smile shine

If none of these are issues for you, but you still don’t feel comfortable showing off your smile, contact our office. Our Evanston dentists are happy to have a smile consult with you to help you with your resolution to smile more. With options such as Invisalign, veneers, one day crowns, and tooth colored restorations there are many options available to allow you to maximize your smile.

Resolve to start smiling more this year and don’t hold back. With our highly trained dentists and staff, we have the knowledge and tools to ensure you keep your resolutions this year.

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