5 Oral Health Goals You Can Achieve in 2023

Dec 1 • 2 minute read

A white cake with draped brown icing that says Happy New Year 2023.

It’s that time again when people all around the world start thinking about big and small resolutions for the new year. The goal with any resolution is the hope that it can improve your life in some meaningful way. The big test, of course, is whether those resolutions stick.

One of the most common reasons why New Year’s resolutions tend to fail is that many resolutions are simply too big and probably not achievable without an unhealthy amount of work toward them. At our Turlock dental practice, we believe consistency and taking achievable steps are key when it comes to most health goals. In that spirit, here are five simple ways you can make big oral health improvements in 2023.

Upgrade Your Toothbrush

You probably spent some time researching the last shoes and bed you bought because they’re two items you use daily, and you want them to be a good fit. But, how long did you spend making sure the last toothbrush you bought was the right toothbrush for you? This year, talk to your dentist about your brushing habits and ask for their toothbrush recommendations. You might be surprised at how much the right toothbrush can improve your oral health.

Take a Hard Look at How You Get Your Caffeine

Many adults start and prop up their days with a little go-juice. Often, that morning or afternoon supplement comes in the form of sugary, acidic drinks like coffee, energy drinks, and soda. In 2023, take a good look at how much caffeine you really need and think about how your beverage of choice affects your oral health. Often, there’s a way to replace a fizzy drink with tea or water and make a positive change for your health.

Get a Smile Consultation with Your Dentist

This is something you can do for yourself as a form of self-care, and it almost always improves your oral health in the process. In 2023, resolve to finally have that cosmetic dentistry, dental implant, or Invisalign® consultation. If there’s something you’ve been putting off for yourself that would make you feel better about your smile, take the first step, and set up a consultation with your dentist in the new year.

Equip Your Family with Mouthguards

If your family is active in any sports, or if you have people in your family who grind their teeth, talk to your dentist about mouthguards. You can purchase general over-the-counter mouthguard products, but your dentist can make you custom-fitting mouthguards that will likely work much better for family’s needs.

Stop Using Tobacco

This is, perhaps, one of the hardest resolutions on this list to achieve, but you can do it! If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, do one of the best things you can do for your oral health (and health overall), and make a plan to quit using tobacco in 2023.