If there is one thing that other people notice about you, it’s your smile. The appearance of your smile says a lot about you. A bright, healthy smile can boost confidence levels. Unfortunately, a smile that’s less than healthy can have a negative effect.
Although it may take some time, improving your smile is possible. To get the ball rolling, below are some easy ways to improve your smile.
Floss at Least Once Every Day
When it comes to practicing good oral health, a lot of people simply use toothpaste and mouthwash. Flossing is sometimes skipped, either because it’s forgotten or you simply don’t want to do it. However, regardless of how you feel about floss, not doing so can negatively impact your smile.
Even after brushing and rinsing, it’s possible to tiny pieces of food caught between your teeth. Not only can this cause cavities, it can also lead to plaque. In addition to being on the tooth surface, plaque can form in between your teeth, making it hard to remove with just brushing. Flossing can help remove anything left between your teeth that could lead to dental caries.
In addition, plaque and tartar are the two main causes of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is when your gums become inflamed and swollen. Periodontal disease is an infection that gradually worsens over time, which can result in tooth decay and tooth loss. Flossing thoroughly at least once a day helps prevent this.
Quit Bad Habits
Lifestyle habits can impact the appearance as well as the health of your teeth. In fact,with proper oral hygiene, some habits can cause significant dental issues.
Some of these worst habits you need to break include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Teeth grinding
- Using teeth to open a package
- Chewing on pens and pencils
Smoking & Nicotine
Smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration. Nicotine can permanently stain your teeth, making it impossible to remove with intervention.
Smoking also destroys healthy gum tissue, making it difficult to effectively treat gum disease. Smoking can also cause your gums to recede, which can make teeth extremely sensitive. The same holds true for people who chew tobacco. Chewing tobacco poses the same threat to overall oral health.
Alcohol
Overconsumption of alcohol can also damage your smile. The sugar content can cause cavities, however, that’s not the only harm it can do. Alcohol can dry your mouth out, which means it reduces saliva production, which can lead to cavities.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a very common habit. However, it’s also something that can damage your teeth. Grinding your teeth can cause cracks in your teeth, chip the enamel and in severe cases, tooth loss.
Lay Off the Coffee
There’s nothing like a good cup of coffee in the morning, however, some people take it to the extreme and drink more than their fair share. Not only is drinking large amounts of coffee dangerous, it’s also a leading cause of discolored teeth.
Coffee contains pigments that can become embedded in the enamel if you don’t brush your teeth within a certain period of time. So, although it may be tempting to have a second or third cup of coffee, it’s best if you leave it for tomorrow.
Get Your Teeth Cleaned Routinely
A good way to improve your smile is to see your dentist for a cleaning. They’ll do everything in their ability to make your teeth sparkle. Dentists use quality dental cleaning products to remove plaque and tartar, eliminate bacteria and remove stains as much as possible. Keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to make sure your teeth stay healthy by scheduling routine dental checkups.
Improve Your Diet
What you eat can do more than keep you slim and trim; it can also help keep your smile healthy. Avoiding candy, carbonated beverages and fatty foods keep your smile healthy. In addition, there are also foods that boost oral health which include yogurt, strawberries, oranges, carrots, apples and milk. Following a low-fat, low-suga diet is the best way to go for both your physical and dental health.
Things to Think About
Brightening your smile takes a solid oral hygiene regimen and sometimes, completely changing your lifestyle. If you’d like to know more ways to improve your smile, contact us today. We’ll help you create a smile that gets you noticed.
