You don't have to make New Year's resolutions, but it's nice to have some goals to meet as a year goes on. With the new year just about here, take a few minutes to think about what you'd like to try to accomplish. These don't have to be big goals; they can focus squarely on daily issues that you just want to improve. Dental is an obvious one for many because, even if you're really good about taking care of your teeth and gums, dental care is so varied that there may be aspects you hadn't considered yet.

Your Brushing, Flossing, and Mouthwash Schedule

Your most basic tooth-care goals should be the brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use that you technically should be doing daily. Mouthwash is optional, but you may want to add it for a while to see if you prefer using it. As for brushing and flossing, look at improving technique, increasing frequency to twice a day if you're brushing and flossing only once, adding flossing if you aren't flossing already, and so on. While it would be ideal to do all of this at once, choose a couple of changes and work on those first.

Completing Cosmetic Improvements

If your tooth-care routine is working well for you and you don't need or want to make changes, maybe there are cosmetic issues you'd like to take care of. These range from whitening to getting veneers or orthodontics. Maybe there are stains that you want to see about getting rid of, or you'd like to finally do something about those craze lines. These are issues you'd talk to your dentist about rather than handling yourself, but they can still be personal goals for your year.

Trying More Tooth-Friendly Foods

Any food you eat is going to have a basic effect on your teeth, which is why you need to brush your teeth no matter what you eat or drink. But some foods are friendlier to teeth and gums than others, and it could be a great goal for the year to try more tooth-friendly foods. For example, cutting back on sugary candy is always a great dental goal but what about trying more varieties of fruits and vegetables, many of which can be a lot friendlier for tooth health than a candy bar.

No matter what you choose, you'll improve your teeth and gums, and that's a worthy goal for anyone. You can make your teeth and gums healthier with only a few small changes, and by the end of the year, you'll feel like you've accomplished a great deal whenever you smile.

Contact a family dentist if you have more questions.