Did you know January is National Get Organized Month? After all, what better time than the start of a new year to channel your inner Marie Kondo and set yourself up for success?

If you’re in the mood to set yourself up for success, remember to include your dental supplies and routines!

Here are 5 easy ways to give yourself a strong start for a year of great oral health.

1. Start Your Year Off Right with a Fresh Toothbrush

How long has it been since you replaced your toothbrush or brush head? How often do you forget to replace your toothbrush until it’s smashed and looks like you’ve been using it to scrub grout?

Ideally, we’re supposed to replace our toothbrushes every 3 months. But more often than not, it slips our minds.

As a toothbrush ages, the bristles may become bent and weakened, meaning they’re not removing plaque correctly. Mangled bristles can even scrape and damage your gums. Plus, an old toothbrush can build up bacteria and even fungi that you definitely don’t want in your mouth.

Starting your year off with a fresh toothbrush is a great way to set yourself up for success.

Buy yourself a 4-pack of brushes or brush heads and you have an entire year’s supply ready to go!

2. Check Expiration Dates on Products

Most dental products last a long time, but they do expire eventually. Although expired dental products won’t generally cause problems, they won’t work as well and can leave you vulnerable to problems.

Check the expiration dates on your toothpaste, mouthwash, and any products that have medicines or supplements. (For example, floss that’s treated with fluoride.)

Expired products might lose their flavor and become less effective. You’ll especially want to make sure any anti-sensitivity products are fresh so that they’re as effective as possible. Fresh fluoride products will be more effective at protecting you against cavities.

3. Put Floss Where You’re Likely to Use It

Many of us make resolutions to build better habits in the new year. Some patients commit to daily flossing as part of their new year’s resolutions.

But many of us start off with great intentions and quickly forget to keep up with it.

Set yourself up for success by stashing floss where you’re likely to use it. That might mean leaving it in a prominent place on your bathroom counter so it’s visible and you’re less likely to forget it exists.

If you still find yourself skipping your daily floss, try thinking outside the box!

• Stash a pack of floss picks in the car to use while you’re on the way to work (at red lights only, please).
• Set your floss on the side table next to the chair where you like to watch TV and use it while you watch your favorite shows.
• Add floss to your lunchbox for a midday refresh.
• Put it on your nightstand to use right before you go to sleep.
• Consider flossing in the shower.

A spare toothbrush and some floss can also be a great addition to your kids’ lunchboxes so they can keep their teeth clean at school, especially if they’re in braces.

4. Consider Upgrading Your Gadgets

If you’re still using a manual toothbrush, 2024 might be a great year to make the leap to an electric brush. We’ve found that our patients who use Sonicare toothbrushes consistently have healthier gums and less plaque than patients who use a manual brush.

If you’ve been on the electric toothbrush train for a long time, consider upgrading to a new model. Over time, the rechargeable batteries do wear out and the motor might loose some of its oomph.

Other than replacing your brush head every 3 months, the brush itself should be replaced every 3 to 5 years. If you use a Sonicare, reach out to their customer support line, as they sometimes offer discounts to help you get a new model.

A WaterPik is a great gadget to consider as well. Especially if that flossing routine seems unlikely to happen, incorporating a WaterPik can help you achieve ideal oral health without struggling with the floss.

These gadgets are especially important for patients with orthodontic appliances or dental work like crowns and bridges.

5. Schedule Your Next Dental Check-Up

Best way to ensure the best possible oral health all year? Stay up to date with your dental visits!

If you know you need treatments, make a commitment to make this the year you’ll get those taken care of so you can enjoy 2024 with a clean bill of dental health.

Especially if it’s been a while since you’ve had a cleaning and check-up, now is a great time to call our office and schedule a visit.

After your cleaning, be sure to schedule your following visit (or two) before you leave! That way, you can keep up with your regular visits throughout the year.

Many patients find it helpful to set a reminder in their phone or Google calendar. We also offer text reminders to keep your routine running as smoothly as possible.

Keep smiling and enjoy a year of great oral health, Orlando!