Want a Healthier Smile in 2025? Try These Dentist-Approved Tips

Dental health is one of those things that we all know we should do — and do well — but that doesn’t mean it always happens that way. Whether skipping flossing because you’re late to bed or doing a quick brush because you’re running behind, many of us take shortcuts when it comes to our mouths, but we shouldn’t. 

Your teeth aren’t just calcified structures in your mouth; they signal your overall health. Poor oral health is linked to heart issues, diabetes and other health issues. So, it’s crucial to pay attention to your mouth and take the time to keep it clean and healthy. I rounded up the top dentist-approved tips that you should be doing every day for peak oral care. 

8 tips that will help you unlock a healthy mouth

Oral care is as simple as integrating as many healthy hacks into your daily routine as possible.

Brush your teeth twice a day

We all know we’re supposed to brush our teeth twice daily for two minutes each time, per the American Dental Association guidelines. But what you use and how you brush matter.

An essential part of your routine should be selecting a toothbrush. We’ve all used traditional options, though you might opt for an electric toothbrush, like Oral B because they can do the job in ways that traditional options can’t. Electric toothbrushes rotate or oscillate, allowing them to give your teeth a better clean. I’ve been using a Philips Sonicare toothbrush for years. 

You should brush your teeth at least twice daily, though you can brush them more for a healthier mouth. However, as Dr. Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, explained, the timing of your additional brushing matters. “Never immediately following eating, as it can cause enamel breakdown from the acidic oral environment formed during eating.”

Fraundorf recommends treating your oral routine like a ritual rather than a chore. That might mean playing music while you brush, floss and rinse. Or maybe it’s part of a longer routine that involves hair care or a bubble bath. Whatever it is, ritualizing your oral care routine makes it second nature. 

Read more: Want a Dazzling Smile? Stop Rinsing After Brushing

Don’t skip the floss (seriously)

We’ve all been there: We settle into the dentist’s chair and tell the same lie about how much we’ve been flossing. In reality, many don’t floss, or at least not as often as they should. But flossing is just as important as brushing, and trust me, you’re not fooling anyone with your lack of flossing. Flossing is essential for breaking up the plaque that builds up in the crevices between the teeth and along the gumline.

There are three main types of flossers out there — traditional dental floss, floss picks and water flossers. As Fraundrof explained, traditional floss is best because it allows for the best control of use. Instead of simply going between your teeth with a pick, dental floss enables you to go between and around the teeth, which will most effectively remove food and plaque. Additionally, floss picks open up the opportunity for the risk of gum damage if you use them too aggressively. 

Fraundorf recommended both dental floss and water flosser for maximum benefits. I use the Waterpik water flosser at home.

“Think of manual floss like toilet paper and a water flosser like a bidet — just as you wouldn’t skip cleaning between your cheeks, don’t skip cleaning between your teeth,” Fraundorf said.

While traditional floss is the best option, dental picks are better than not flossing at all, especially if you’re on the go. They’re also helpful for people with limited dexterity. 

“Some people find floss picks easier to handle, especially for reaching the back teeth. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that helps you establish a daily flossing routine,” said Dr. Michael Wei, DDS. Whatever floss you choose, just ensure you integrate it into your oral routine.

Read more: Does It Matter in What Order You Brush and Floss?

Avoid sugary drinks

That soda or sweet tea you’ve been sipping might contribute to your dental issues. “Sugary and acidic foods can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion,” said Wei. 

The harmful bacteria in our mouths feed on sugar, producing acid that can result in cavities or erosion. Drinking water, unsweetened tea or plain sparkling water won’t give the bacteria in the mouth the sugar to cause trouble. However, when you drink sugary drinks, drink them through a straw to minimize how much the drink comes into contact with your teeth. 

Swish with water after meals

Water is the best drink to keep your teeth healthy and white. However, there’s nothing wrong with drinking other beverages, though you should know that things like coffee, wine or sugary drinks can stain your teeth or break down your tooth enamel. That doesn’t mean you can’t have them. Instead, make it a habit to swish your mouth out with water after you drink it. The same goes for food. The water helps remove the particles that ordinarily get left behind on and between your teeth.

“This helps prevent staining particles from clinging to your teeth and neutralizes acidity, protecting your enamel,” Fraundorf said. For the best results, swish with still water, not sparkling.

Switch to sugar-free gum

After certain foods, you might feel the need to pop in a piece of gum (I’m looking at you, onions). Did you know sugar-free gum achieves the same goal and helps oral health?

Besides not having sugar, which would contribute to more bacteria in the mouth, experts have found that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can reduce cavities. This is because chewing gum boosts saliva production.

“This natural increase in saliva flow reduces the risk of cavities and stains, keeping your teeth cleaner and healthier,” Fraundorf explained.

Chewing sugar-free gum doesn’t replace regular brushing and flossing; it merely can help when you’re on the go and can’t brush your teeth. When looking for a pack of gum to help your teeth, look for gums like Trident or Eclipse sugar-free gum with the American Dental Association’s seal of acceptance.

Wash your toothbrush

You rely on your toothbrush to keep your mouth clean, but how often do you think about how clean your toothbrush is? All the bacteria, food particles and germs you scrub off your teeth can get trapped in your toothbrush. 

You should wash your toothbrush every few months, more if you’ve recently been sick. Always rinse your toothbrush in hot water. You may also want to let it soak in antibacterial mouthwash for about 15 minutes. The ADA states that soaking a toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide or Listerine mouthwash can drop the bacteria load by 85%.

Additionally, make sure to replace your toothbrush or the head of your electric toothbrush when the bristles start to bend — the effectiveness of a toothbrush drops when the bristles are compromised.

Brush your tongue

So you’ve brushed your teeth and flossed. Before you pick up that bottle of mouthwash, don’t forget to brush your tongue. The bacteria of the mouth isn’t just limited to your teeth; it’s on your tongue, too. The structures of the tongue, like between the tastebuds, can accumulate this bacteria and cause bad breath. You can brush with your toothbrush, though some people prefer tongue scrapers. Fraundorf said at a minimum, you should scrape your tongue once daily, but more often, ideally.

Visit your dentist regularly

Even with a stellar oral hygiene routine, you should still go to the dentist for a yearly cleaning and checkup. Dentists have specialized tools that go far beyond what we can do at home, so keeping up your regular appointments is essential. 

“Regular dental check-ups are important for detecting any oral health issues early and preventing potential problems down the road,” said Wei. You should go in every six months or at least once yearly. 

You don’t have to have the fanciest tools, like a high-tech toothbrush or a high-powered water flosser, to have good oral health. You just need to put in the time and effort to maintain healthy habits.