08 Feb How to Make Oral Health a Priority in the New Year
Happy New Year! Did you set any resolutions? If you haven’t yet, how about setting a goal to make your oral health a priority? A new year is a great time to start new habits that will make your life better. For instance, a clean and healthy mouth can do wonders for your self confidence and even help improve your physical health.
Here are four ways to prioritize your oral health in the coming year.
Tip 1: Build better oral health habits.
Daily routines are what help you keep your teeth cavity-free between dental cleanings. They are important because any plaque that gets left alone turns into tartar, which can only be removed during a cleaning at the dentist.
A basic daily routine should include:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Using a mouthwash once a day
- Flossing once a day
If you want to make it even more effective, you could also:
- Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth
- Floss twice a day
- Rinse your mouth with water after meals and snacks
Your oral care routine should include the right products, too. For example, using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash is important, especially in certain parts of Arizona. Where we live in Prescott, the city does not add fluoride to its tap water, so you need to make sure you’re getting fluoride from other sources.
Tip 2: Book this year’s dental appointments now.
Everyone needs dental exams and cleanings twice a year. Cleanings give you a healthy base for at-home maintenance. Exams help us spot any changes so we can repair or prevent the damage before it becomes a problem.
Making your appointments in advance will help you make sure you get the preventive care you need. It also helps you get the most out of your dental insurance. And if you need any work done, you can plan for it instead of waiting until you have tooth pain before you go to the dentist.
Tip 3: Start carrying a toothbrush and floss.
Unless you work from home, you probably spend a significant amount of time on the move. Keeping a travel kit in your car, work station, or bag can help you maintain good oral health from anywhere.
Your travel dental care kit should include:
- A toothbrush and toothpaste: Any type of manual toothbrush is fine, but we like the mini brushes with toothpaste included. They are typically disposable and activated with your saliva, which means you can brush your teeth anywhere, anytime.
- Mouthwash or breath strips: When you feel like your mouth needs a refresh, but you don’t have time to brush, a quick swish can go a long way in freshening your breath, boosting confidence, and killing bad bacteria.
- Dental floss or floss picks: Having something stuck in your teeth is the WORST. Keeping floss on hand can help you get rid of that irritation, and prevent you from trying to use your fingernail or some other object to get that stubborn piece of salad.
Tip 4: Switch to an electric toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes have been proven to clean teeth more effectively and in less time. Not only can they remove stubborn plaque more easily, they can also reach more of each tooth’s surface than a manual toothbrush.
A manual toothbrush really only works best if you are brushing in small circles and making sure to brush every tooth. An electric toothbrush will rotate or vibrate at exactly the right speed and do all the work for you!
Hicks Dental Group Can Help You Achieve Your Oral Health Goals
Looking for a dentist in the Prescott area? Here at Hicks Dental Group, we can help you keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright. Our team of trained dentists and hygienists would love to meet you and hear about your smile goals. Contact us today to make an appointment for an exam and cleaning.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/3/2026). Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash