Today's NYT Strands is live for Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (Puzzle #675). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Open wide"
What It Really Means
This theme points to items and tools you'd find at a dental appointment. Think about what happens when you visit the dentist.
Think About...
- Dental hygiene products and equipment
- Common procedures at the dentist's office
- Things you see or use during a checkup
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Bottom to Top
Letter Count: 14 letters
Starting Zone: Fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The place where today's theme items are found
Hint 2 (Warmer): Where you go for professional dental care
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is D, last letter is E
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DENTISTSOFFICE
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A tool used in dental procedures
Closer: Makes a high-pitched sound during cavity work
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 5 letters total
Answer
DRILL
Word 2
Vague: Essential for cleaning between teeth
Closer: Thin string used for interdental cleaning
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 5 letters total
Answer
FLOSS
Word 3
Vague: A dental treatment for stronger teeth
Closer: Mineral treatment often applied during cleanings
Letter Clue: Starts with F, 8 letters total
Answer
FLUORIDE
Word 4
Vague: Helps the dentist see what they're working on
Closer: Reflective surface used during examinations
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 6 letters total
Answer
MIRROR
Word 5
Vague: Daily dental hygiene essential
Closer: Has bristles and is used with toothpaste
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 10 letters total
Answer
TOOTHBRUSH
Full Answers
Spangram: DENTISTSOFFICE
Theme Words:
- DRILL
- FLOSS
- FLUORIDE
- MIRROR
- TOOTHBRUSH
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: FLUORIDE (Less commonly spelled out in puzzles, and the 8-letter length can be challenging to spot)
Our Take: A straightforward dental theme with clear connections to the "Open wide" prompt. The spangram DENTISTSOFFICE cleverly ties everything together, though its 14-letter length requires careful navigation. Solid puzzle execution with familiar dental terms that most solvers will recognize immediately.
