What do you want to achieve in 2026? If you’ve been concerned about the state of your teeth and gums lately, then one of your goals may be to improve the health of your smile. As such, it’s important to consider ways you can start taking better care of your mouth. To get you started, below are 4 ideas for New Year’s resolutions that can go a long way toward preventing dental problems and giving your oral health a boost.
1. Spend More Time Brushing
Brushing your teeth is an essential step for keeping cavities at bay. However, in order to enjoy the full benefits of brushing, you need to make sure that you’re spending enough time doing it. Ideally, you should brush your teeth at least two times every day, and each brushing session should last around two minutes. This helps ensure that you’re cleaning your teeth as thoroughly as you need to in order to remove the plaque that has built up throughout the day.
2. Adopt a More Smile-Friendly Diet
The foods you eat can have a significant impact on the state of your mouth. Thus, if you want to improve your oral health, it’s often worth making a few changes to your diet. Be sure to limit your intake of sugary or starchy foods that can increase your risk for tooth decay. At the same time, you should try to eat more fruits and vegetables; the nutrients they contain can fight inflammation and thus help you protect your smile from gum disease.
3. Start Flossing Daily
If you don’t floss every day, harmful bacteria and food debris could easily accumulate in the spaces between your teeth, which can ultimately lead to cavities and other dental issues. Making flossing a daily habit is crucial if you want to keep your smile as safe as possible in the coming year. Take whatever steps you need to in order to make flossing a regular part of your oral hygiene routine; it may help to put your dental floss in a place where you won’t miss it, such as on top of your toothpaste.
4. Keep Up with Your Regular Dental Appointments
Before the year comes to an end, you should make room in your schedule for at least two routine dental checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, your dentist can check for minor dental issues that may currently be developing in your mouth and take steps to address them long before they can turn into major oral health threats. They can remove any plaque or tartar that you haven’t been able to remove by yourself when brushing.
By keeping up with the New Year’s resolutions listed above, you can minimize your risk for oral health issues and keep your smile in excellent shape throughout 2026.
About the Author
Dr. David Salibian studied dentistry at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He used to teach at Tufts as well as the Forsyth Dental Hygiene School. At EyeSmile Dentistry and Optometry of Belmont, he helps his patients maintain healthy smiles for life with routine checkups and cleanings as well as other preventive services. If you would like to schedule your first dental appointment of the new year with Dr. Salibian, you can do so by visiting his website or calling (617) 484-7869.