New Year’s Resolutions -By Eric Seidel, DMD

New Year’s Resolutions
By Eric Seidel, DMD

As the year ends we are always surrounded by a host of ideas for ways to improve our lives. Many of us are tempted to join gyms, go on diets or a myriad of other things that we know would greatly improve our lives, health and happiness. The challenge is making these changes permanent in a way that will help us long term, not just for the few short weeks that most of these "resolutions" last. In dentistry, not unlike other health arenas, we know that a few easy long term changes would have a profound effect on most of our patients’ oral health. Simple dietary changes, oral hygiene regimens and staying regular with office visits are all most people would need to lead a life of oral health. They would be able to maintain all of their natural teeth, be pain and disease free and experience the confidence and life changing effects a beautiful smile can bring.

So what gets in the way? WE DO. Human nature gives us the ability to find excuses for avoiding things we don't perceive as absolutely necessary or fun. We use time, affordability, work, life or many other reasons to put off what we know is something we should be doing. Interestingly, with or without dental insurance, the average appointment interval for Americans that do go to the dentist "regularly" is 11 months (only half of Americans visit the dentist outside of emergencies). The standard recommendations are to brush twice daily and see your dental professional twice a year. Science is showing us that this may not even be adequate for those with gum disease or a high rate of dental decay.

As the New Year is upon us, I ask you to consider what barriers are in the way of you having the healthy and beautiful smile you have always wanted. If you are a part of the 50% that don't seek dental care, there have been many recent advancements that you may not have experienced. Comfort, affordability and true listening and delivering on the wants and needs of our patients is the centerpiece of our practice. We pride ourselves on being able to keep patients pain and disease free and doing so in the most comfortable and non-judgmental manner possible. Technology is making visits faster, safer and easier than ever. We encourage visiting the pediatric dentist by 1 year of age to start off and maintain oral health for a lifetime in a fun and positive environment. For the 50% who are routine, simply going twice per year and having necessary work completed would be a game changer. What simply is needed is the commitment to ourselves and our health to make this year better than the last!

I am not adverse to New Year's resolutions, although admittedly they have never worked for me. Rather, I like the idea of doing what is tried and true. Going back to the basics of life that will provide us with the true happiness that only health can bring. Exercise more, eat healthier and follow the basic health guidelines that we know will make our lives better.

Brush your teeth twice daily. Floss. Visit your dentist twice a year. Make good dietary choices. If we stick with the basics, we would have very little need for new resolutions at all. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.

Drs. Seidel and DeFilippo and Dental Associates.

353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193