It’s almost that time of year again. People gather to celebrate, watch the New York ball drop, and welcome in another year by making a list of resolutions they promise to stick to this year. While exercise, eating right, and cutting down on vices are always the top New Year’s resolutions, you should add preventative dental care to the top of your resolution list.
Preventive dental care at Babylon Dental Care doesn’t just help you manage your oral hygiene. It also enables you to maintain overall health. Studies continue to show that good oral health has widespread physical and mental benefits while poor oral health leads to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Putting preventative dental care as your first resolution can help you kick off 2026 with a smile brighter than the New Year’s ball.
What Is Preventive Dental Care and Why Does It Matter
Preventive dental care is a proactive approach to maintaining good oral hygiene. It means scheduling regular dental cleanings and checkups, sticking to a regular dental X-ray schedule, and engaging in oral cancer screenings and gum disease checks. The goal of preventive dental care is to identify potential oral health issues before they develop into significant problems, such as cavities, tooth loss, gum disease, and oral cancer. An at-home oral health routine, combined with regular dental visits, can help keep teeth healthy and prevent oral health issues that can cause pain and discomfort.
Why does preventative dental care matter? It’s because catching issues early improves a patient’s prognosis and limits the amount of pain and dental intervention they may have to undergo to treat oral health problems. Proactive dental treatment helps you maintain good oral hygiene, preventing issues such as bad breath, bleeding gums, and cavities, thereby protecting your teeth and gums. In the long term, preventative dental care can also contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. Poor oral health has been linked to significant health issues such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease.
Key Preventive Dental Treatments at the Dentist
A visit to your dentist typically includes several preventative dental treatments, some of which you may not even realize your dentist is conducting, such as an oral cancer screening. When you open wide for your dentist, they are doing more than poking around your mouth looking for signs of tooth decay. They are conducting an oral inspection of your mouth, looking for signs of cancer, gum disease, and other issues that may help you avoid painful dental emergencies in the future.
During a comprehensive dental exam, your dentist may provide crucial preventative dental treatments such as:
- Routine dental checkup
- Routine dental cleaning
- Oral cancer screening
- Gum disease check
- Plaque and tartar removal
- Digital dental X-rays
- Fluoride treatment
These treatments can stop dental problems before they start, providing a clean and healthy foundation for your at-home dental routine.
Daily Habits at Home That Support Oral Health
Preventive dental services are crucial for long-term oral health. However, you can support regular visits to the dentist by adding daily habits to your at-home routine that promote healthy smile habits.
Most people know that they should brush their teeth at least twice daily, but knowing and doing are two separate things. Make it a habit to floss and brush your teeth twice per day using a fluoride toothpaste. Brush for at least two minutes during each session. If you have trouble estimating how long you need to brush for, brush your teeth to your favorite song. You get clean teeth and a burst of positive energy to start or end your day. Whether you use a floss pick, regular dental floss, or a water pick, don’t forget to floss.
Beyond the bathroom, take care of your teeth in between dental cleanings by avoiding smoking or using tobacco products. Eat healthy fruits and vegetables and try to limit sugary foods, such as candy and soda, which can erode tooth enamel and increase bacterial growth. Go gentle and avoid chewing on rock-hard candy or ice, which can chip or crack teeth.
New Year- New You at Babylon Dental Care
If you are ready for a New Year reset, the team at Babylon Dental Care is prepared to help. Preventive dental care can help you start the year healthy and set you up for a 2026 you can smile about.
Contact our New York office online or call us at (631) 983-6665 to schedule an appointment for 2026. Kick off the New Year with a smile you can be proud of.