Ten Oral Health Habits Worth Building This Year

Brushing and cleaning between teeth

Brush two minutes twice daily with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles toward the gum line. Spit, do not rinse — leaving a thin film of fluoride behind meaningfully reduces decay.

Clean between your teeth once a day. Floss, interdental brushes and water flossers all work; the best one is the one you will actually use.

Diet, timing and hydration

Frequency matters more than quantity. A single dessert does less harm than sipping a sweet drink across an afternoon, because each sip restarts an acid cycle. Water is the best default beverage, and staying hydrated in the Florida heat also protects against dry mouth, a major and often-missed cavity risk.

Protect and monitor

Wear a nightguard if you clench or grind, and a sportsguard for contact sports. Check your own mouth monthly for sores that do not heal within two weeks, and see a dentist if you find one.

Finally: do not wait out pain, bleeding gums or a cracked filling. Early dental visits are usually short and inexpensive; delayed ones rarely are.