3 New Year's Resolutions for a Healthier Smile

It’s a brand new year, but you have the same old smile. What can you do to make better oral health choices in 2026? We have some ideas that should be easy to implement.

One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. Yellow teeth, red inflamed gums, or a refusal to even show your teeth in public can all affect your personal and professional life.

At Bayside Dental Arts in Queens, New York, Dr. Andrey Ilyabayev and our team want you to love your smile in 2026. Here are some of our top recommendations for New Year’s resolutions related to dental care.

Don’t skip dental visits

If you didn’t have two dental cleanings in 2025, you need to examine why you didn’t and prioritize your dental health.

One visit is better than none, but you should get your teeth cleaned and gums checked for periodontal (gum) disease every six months to stave off gingivitis and the buildup of bacterial plaque that can turn to tartar under the gum line.

Ignoring simple dental cleanings because your teeth don’t look that bad or nothing hurts can mean you’re in for much more inconvenient, costly, and painful dental visits down the road. Did you miss your last appointment? Reschedule right now.

Review your at-home routine

You know you’re supposed to brush and floss at least twice a day, but there’s more to keeping your teeth and gums healthy than a desultory pass with a toothbrush and some half-hearted sawing with a too-short length of mint-flavored floss.

Look at your morning and night habits to see if you’re missing key steps in your dental care routine:

Swish warm water through your mouth before brushing to loosen food particles
Brush using a soft bristled brush and cover all tooth surfaces with a circular motion
Floss between teeth carefully, curving the floss around each tooth
Scrape your tongue gently from back to front with a scraper or spoon
Repeat your rinsing process, swishing with warm water several times

These steps can help keep your teeth and gums healthy between dentist visits.

Love your smile

Maybe your smile is perfect just the way it is. If so, that’s wonderful. If not, 2026 can be the year you finally do something about it.

There are tons of options when it comes to rejuvenating your smile, from teeth whitening to add sparkle and shine, to veneers that can quickly and affordably correct small imperfections like crooked, chipped, or uneven teeth. If you’re missing teeth, dental implants can restore your smile.

If you want to straighten your teeth, fill gaps, or fix misalignments, we offer Invisalign®, a discreet alternative to metal braces that are made of clear thermoplastic.

Dr. Ilyabayev is a recognized authority in cosmetic dentistry, so you can trust our team with your smile.

For more information on how to get and maintain the smile of your dreams in 2026, call us at 315-908-0804 or book an appointment online. We’re located in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York City.