Maintain Your Natural Sheen
People notice your smile first. It takes time to create and maintain a healthy smile. These are 10 simple things that you can do to improve your smile and keep it healthy.
Floss Daily
Flossing helps remove plaque from between teeth and under gumlines. This is where a toothbrush cannot reach. Daily flossing is a good way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated, plaque and tartar can build up beneath the gumlines. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and bone destruction.
To work properly, wrap the floss around your finger and place it between your teeth. Move the floss gently up and down between your teeth, two to three times. Bleeding is usually due to gum disease or gingivitis. The bleeding caused by mild to moderate gingivitis can be stopped after two weeks of flossing.
An oral irrigator is a device that sprays water or mouthwash to remove food and plaque from your teeth. This device sprays water and mouthwash to clean plaque and food from between your teeth.
Two Visits per Year to Your Dentist
Routine cleanings should be done every six months to maintain good oral health. This will help you have a beautiful smile. Periodontal disease can occur if your cleanings are not consistent.
Periodontal disease can lead to unsightly receding and bleeding gums. It can also be linked to other health conditions such as heart attack, strokes, diabetes, obesity and premature births.
Your dental hygienist will not only remove tartar and stain from your teeth but also check for any health conditions such as high blood pressure or oral cancer. Your dentist and hygienist can tell you if there are any issues with your mouth.
Stop Smoking
Stains can be caused by smoking. Smoking can stain your enamel. It can sometimes be superficial and can be removed.
Smoking can also cause gum disease. Healthy gums recede and form large pockets around the teeth. This causes teeth to appear longer and leaves dark spaces between them. It is also very difficult to reverse gum disease if you smoke.
Avoid Red Wine, Coffee, and Tea.
Red wine, coffee, and tea are all known to stain teeth. These drinks can cause a superficial stain, similar to smoking. Your dentist can remove it. They can also cause enamel staining.
A straw can be used to reduce staining and reduce tooth decay. You can rinse your mouth with water frequently to ensure the stain does not remain on your teeth for too long between meals.
Carefully Choose Your Whitening Products.
Depending on your requirements, there are many options for whitening: strips, gel pens and toothpaste, over-the-counter trays, and custom trays. Although the options seem overwhelming, many products can help you target specific areas.
For tea and coffee drinkers, whitening toothpaste can be used. Gel pens can touch up small areas such as a damaged tooth or a tooth that has become displaced. Laser whitening, professional-level whitening, and custom trays are the best options.
Get a High-quality Toothbrush.
High-quality electric toothbrushes have been clinically proven to be trusted. Source removes plaque and promotes healthier gums. Many toothbrushes now have sensitive and whitening modes. The toothbrush bodies last many years, while the heads can be replaced as needed or shared among family members.
A soft bristled manual toothbrush is a better alternative to an electric toothbrush. Although many options exist for medium and hard bristled brushes, dentists strongly discourage their use. Brushing aggressively with stiff bristles can cause gum receding and damage to the enamel.
Get Plenty of Water.
Water is good for your teeth and body. It cleans the teeth and prevents decay. Tap water has the highest recommended fluoride content. Bottled water can often be from an unregulated source, meaning it has very low fluoride levels. Healthy levels of fluoride are good for teeth health and prevent decay.
Consuming sugary or acidic drinks regularly can dramatically increase the rate of decay. As the effects of sports drinks are a major threat to their teeth, athletes are rapidly becoming an at-risk population.
Improve Your Health Conditions
High blood pressure, diabetes and obesity can all impact the appearance and health of your smile. It’s harder to treat a condition that has strained the body.
Instead of hiding symptoms, preventive measures can improve your health. Your appearance, teeth and gums can be dramatically improved by eating right and exercising regularly.
Get Your Dental Treatment Done Quickly.
Dental problems cannot be fixed by themselves. Untreated tooth decay can quickly turn a small cavity into an extensive abscess. A crown and root canal may be required for small cavities left untreated.
You’ll be able to treat your tooth decay earlier, resulting in smaller and more minimally invasive dental restorations. This will preserve the tooth’s structure and stability and reduce treatment costs. If decay is not treated, it can spread to other teeth, causing infection throughout your body.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Although this is obvious, many people must remind themselves to brush their teeth twice daily. Regular brushing is better for your teeth than less frequent because plaque can harden to tartar.
It is important to know how you brush. The bristles should be angled towards the gumline at 45 degrees. Use small strokes to focus on one or two teeth at a time. This will help keep your gums healthy and remove most of the plaque.
Good Habits for a Great Smile
You may not notice immediate results from teeth whitening or better oral hygiene. These changes won’t happen overnight, but they are worth the effort and time spent on your smile and overall health.