New Year, New Smile: 10 Ways to Improve Your Dental Health in 2025
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to maintain better oral health, then we’re here to help.
For healthier teeth and a brighter smile in 2025, I recommend implementing each of these 10 dental health resolutions ASAP! But even if you pick just one, you’ll be on your way to improved oral health.
Upgrade to an Electric Toothbrush
If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, it’s time to consider an upgrade. Electric toothbrushes clean your teeth better than manual ones and making the switch can go a long way toward reducing plaque buildup and keeping your teeth and gums healthy. There are numerous styles, but I find that toothbrushes with a rotating head are more effective than oscillating, i.e. vibrating, models. You don’t have to buy the most expensive model! You can get a great electric toothbrush for under $50.
Keep Your Six-Month Appointments
We know that going to the dentist can disrupt your schedule, but it’s also the best way to maintain your oral health and is well worth the minor inconvenience. Regular dental appointments twice a year (ideally every six months) for routine teeth cleaning will ensure that your smile stays healthy. Keeping these appointments allows us to catch any potential issues, like cavities that may be developing, before they become serious.
Quit a Bad Oral Habit
Plenty of bad habits could be damaging your teeth and gums. Smoking is one of the biggest culprits, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth loss, among many other health concerns. In addition to quitting tobacco, reducing your sugar intake — especially sugary drinks like soda — can make a huge difference. A University of Pennsylvania study and others have found a correlation between consistent alcohol use and tooth loss, so consider cutting down on alcohol consumption as well, especially alcoholic beverages that are high in sugar.
Brush for a Full 2 Minutes
Do you brush your teeth for the full two minutes recommended by dentists? The truth is, most of us don’t go the distance — even those of us who know better — and studies show that most Americans brush for less than 60 seconds. Start putting in the effort to go a full two minutes and your oral health will improve as a result. Set a timer for yourself or use an electric toothbrush that has a built-in timer that automatically shuts off after two minutes.
Reduce Sources of Stains
Of all the substances that stain teeth, coffee is probably the most serious offender. I say “reduce” instead of “eliminate” because, let’s face it; if coffee can be extremely hard to give up. But there’s no doubt that it stains your teeth, so try to confine your coffee consumption to specific hours of the day and always brush your teeth after you’ve finished drinking coffee for the day. And remember that, contrary to popular myth, drinking coffee with cream doesn’t stain your teeth any less than drinking it black.
Ask Your Dentist About That Toothache
Do you have tooth pain that you have been avoiding dealing with? Let’s get that checked out, and preferably sooner rather than later. Toothache is often a sign that you have a cavity or other serious dental issue, and these issues have a way of worsening the longer they go untreated. Getting a filling today could prevent you from having to get a root canal down the road.
Floss Every Day
We all know we’re supposed to floss daily, but it’s easy to let good habits slide. Hold yourself accountable and remember to floss every day. Doing so will reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease while also keeping your breath fresher. Either traditional floss or floss picks will do the job. While floss picks are great for convenience, I find traditional floss is more effective.
Get Restorative Care
If you have a broken, chipped, missing or otherwise damaged tooth and have been putting off getting it fixed, let’s make this the year you reach out to your dentist and take care of it. Fixing a damaged or missing tooth can restore your smile and confidence, as well as help improve your overall health.
Stay Hydrated
If you’re tired of being told that you need to drink more water—for a wide variety of reasons—then I’m sorry to harp on it. But the truth is, there really are numerous benefits to staying hydrated, one of which is a healthier mouth. Dehydration can cause your mouth to dry out, and without enough saliva to wash away bacteria from your teeth, those bacteria can flourish, causing bad breath and potential tooth decay.
Call Your Dentist Today
A recent American Dental Association survey showed that just 40% of working-age American adults had been to the dentist in the last year. Give your dentist a call and schedule a check-up. Avoiding the dentist can only lead to dental issues worsening and multiplying, which is why it’s so crucial not to wait.
