Now is an excellent time to begin an oral healthcare regime that could prevent emergency dentistry, an expert has said.
Irish Dental Association president Dr Billy Davis told IrishHealth.com that now the excesses of the festive season are all over, patients will be able to take more time on things like brushing and flossing.
The new year is also a good time for getting rid of bad habits such as keeping toothbrushes for too long, the expert said, pointing out that they should be changed every three months.
"Preventative dental care is important for people of all ages, particularly young people, and is the key to long-term dental health," Dr Davis commented.
He also recommended seeing a dentist regularly to stop little problems becoming big ones and asking about professional teeth whitening rather than using at-home kits.
People may be more willing to go for emergency dentistry in future after scientists said this week they had invented a device that can block out the noise of the dentist's drill for the patient.
