Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, many of us are thinking about ways to improve our health and well-being. While you’re setting goals for the year, don’t forget about your smile! A healthy mouth isn’t just about looking good in photos. It’s an important part of your overall health.

At Lake Baldwin Dental in Orlando, FL, we want to help you start the year off right. Here are five simple resolutions to help you keep your smile healthy and bright all year long.

1. Brush Twice Every Day with Proper Technique

Brushing your teeth is a small habit with a big impact! Make sure to brush at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to protect your enamel and fight cavities.

Take your time and brush for a full two minutes. If you’re not sure how long that is, try setting a timer or using an electric toothbrush that will automatically run for two minutes. You can divide the mouth into four sections (such as top right, top left, lower right, and lower left) and brush each for 30 seconds. Be sure to brush all the way to the gum line and angle your toothbrush toward your gums. Don’t forget to brush both the outer (lip-side) and inner (tongue-side) surfaces!

Pair brushing with another daily routine, like showering or washing your face, to make it a habit you never forget.

2. Floss Daily to Truly Improve Your Smile

We know, flossing isn’t always the most exciting part of your routine. But it’s one of the best ways to protect your gums and keep your teeth healthy! Flossing removes plaque and food particles from places your toothbrush can’t reach, helping to prevent gum disease and cavities. In fact it’s the number one best habit you can build to protect your smile and it can even have benefits for your overall health.

Here are some quick tips to make it easier to stay on top of your flossing habit.

• If traditional floss feels tricky, try floss picks or a water flosser instead.
• Out of sight, out of mind is especially true with floss, so leave it somewhere you can’t ignore it.
• Try flossing before you brush rather than after.
• Floss during another part of your regular routine, such as while you watch TV in the evening.
• Start a flossing competition in your family and see who can achieve the longest streak without skipping a day.
• Set a goal to at least floss three teeth every day and build up from there.

3. Drink More Water for a Healthier Smile

Water isn’t just good for your body, it’s great for your teeth, too! Drinking water helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated, which can prevent dry mouth and bad breath.

Good hydration also supports healthy saliva flow, which is key to good oral health. Saliva lubricates soft tissues, keeping everything comfortable. It also delivers valuable minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous to the teeth, helping prevent cavities.

If you live in Orlando, you’re in luck: most of Florida’s tap water is fluoridated. That means it contains fluoride, a natural mineral that strengthens teeth and fights cavities. So, grab a reusable water bottle and make drinking water a priority this year.

4. Keep Up with Regular Dental Check-Ups

Regular dental check-ups are the key to catching small problems before they become big ones. For people with healthy teeth and gums, that frequently means coming in twice a year for a cleaning and exam.

However, if you have gum disease, you tend to build up tartar quickly, or your teeth become very stained between visits, you may need cleanings every three or four months. Same goes for people getting orthodontic treatment!

Professional cleanings remove tartar (the hardened plaque you can’t brush away) and help keep your gums healthy. Plus, your dentist can spot any early signs of cavities, gum disease, or other issues, so you can address them right away. That means we can treat any issues before they become more severe, and more expensive. Start the year strong by scheduling your first visit today!

5. Fuel Your Smile with Exercise and Tooth-Friendly Foods

Have you already made a New Year’s Resolution to work out more? Some studies suggest that regular exercise is associated with better oral health! People who get regular physical activity appear to be at significantly lower risk for gum disease and possibly even cavities, too.

This may have to do with better circulation, which can decrease inflammation, as well as more stable blood sugar (which impacts how much sugar is in your saliva, which can affect your risk for tooth decay).

Adding tooth-friendly foods like lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet can give your body what it needs to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. While you don’t have to cut out sugary foods completely, be sure to rinse or chew sugar-free gum afterward to minimize acids on your teeth.

Want to Start 2025 with a Smile? We Can Help!

These five resolutions are easy to stick with and can make a big difference for your oral health. Start small and stay consistent—you’ll be amazed at the results!

At Lake Baldwin Dental, we’re here to support your smile every step of the way. If it’s time for your next check-up, give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Let’s make 2025 your healthiest, happiest year yet, Orlando!