3 Resolutions for Healthier Gums and a Brighter Smile

Still trying to find the perfect New Year’s resolution for 2026? While many people focus on nutrition, fitness, or even travel goals, don’t forget to prioritize your oral health. 

At Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Jenny Herman and her team focus exclusively on the foundations of your smile: healthy gums, strong bone support, and long-term periodontal wellness.

Whether you’re already receiving periodontal care or you’ve been putting it off, these three resolutions can help you start 2026 with a healthier, more confident smile.

Resolution #1: Commit to consistent periodontal maintenance

If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, routine periodontal maintenance is not optional—it’s essential. Even after active treatment, harmful bacteria can return quickly, putting you at risk for inflammation, bone loss, and tooth mobility.

This year, resolve to:

• Stick to your maintenance schedule every 3–4 months
• Follow home-care instructions exactly as prescribed
• Prioritize your gum health the same way you would any other chronic condition

Regular periodontal care allows your specialist to clean beneath the gumline, monitor changes, and catch issues before they become more serious.

Resolution #2: Take daily gum care seriously

Did you know that most people don't floss? That’s right: 58% of Americans don’t floss.

But there’s the area of concern: if you skip flossing, you don’t remove all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth. You open up your risks of developing gum disease, bad breath, and interproximal cavities.

Healthy gums don’t just happen if you clean your teeth. They require consistent, intentional care. And thankfully, your daily habits can make a dramatic difference in reducing inflammation, bleeding, and the progression of gum disease.

Make 2026 the year you:

• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle brush
• Floss daily
• Use an interdental cleaner like floss or a water flosser
• Follow any recommended medicated rinses or prescription toothpaste

These simple steps help control plaque bacteria at home so your gum tissue can stay stable between visits. They also help your smile stay brighter! 

Resolution #3: Quit smoking

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best resolutions you can make in 2026. Smoking restricts blood flow to your gums, weakens your immune response, and makes it significantly harder for your mouth to fight off the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. 

It also slows healing after periodontal treatments, oral surgeries (and all surgeries for that matter), dental implant placement, and even routine cleanings. Smokers have twice the risk of gum disease, but to compound matters, gum disease treatments don’t work as well for smokers.

That means that smokers face a higher risk of infection, bone loss, and tooth loss.

The good news? When you stop smoking, your gum tissue begins receiving better oxygen and nutrients almost immediately. Inflammation in your mouth decreases, your body responds more effectively to periodontal therapy, and the progression of gum disease can slow dramatically. 

Many people even notice less gum bleeding, fresher breath, and improved comfort within weeks.

If quitting feels overwhelming, Dr. Herman can guide you toward resources that support your smoking cessation journey, so your gums (and your whole body) can finally get the fresh start they deserve.

Bonus resolution: address gum disease symptoms ASAP

Gum recession, bleeding, swelling, or tenderness are not “normal”. They’re early warning signs. And ignoring them can lead to more aggressive disease, tooth loss, and costly corrective procedures.

This year, commit to acting early rather than pushing symptoms aside.

At Baton Rouge Periodontics & Implants, we offer advanced periodontal treatments, including:

• Scaling and root planing
• Periodontal maintenance
• Gum grafting for recession
• Laser periodontal therapy
• Regenerative treatments to rebuild lost bone and tissue

As with many chronic conditions, seeking care early makes treatment easier, less invasive, and more effective.

Get started today

If you’re ready to prioritize gum health in 2026, Dr. Herman is here to help with expert-level periodontal care. 

Schedule your appointment today and start the new year with healthier gums and a brighter, stronger smile. Call 225-769-1444 or click to get started.