One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. Are you pleased with how your smile looks? While improving your smile does not happen overnight, the following steps will help you maintain a healthy one for years:
Brush Your Teeth Well
Do you brush your teeth enough times day? Do you do it well?
Most people would answer these questions with a convincing “yes”. However, most people neither brush their teeth twice a day nor do it in the right way.
Some people either brush too hard or rush through the entire process, and don’t do it for the recommended two minutes. Others don’t even replace their toothbrushes every three to four months. An old toothbrush never cleans your teeth effectively.
Plaque hardens to tartar. Failure to brush your teeth for the required amount of time and in the right way can totally ruin your smile.
To make sure that your teeth stay white and healthy, you should do the following:
- Angle your toothbrush bristles so that the toothbrush sits at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline.
- Gently (with just enough pressure) move your toothbrush in small strokes. Use short strokes so that you are focusing on one or two teeth at a time.
- Make sure you hit the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth. Also, remember the chewing surface.
Do these simple steps twice a day–preferably in the morning and evening–and see your teeth get whiter.
Floss Like A Boss
Flossing your teeth is just as crucial as brushing them. Many overlook this simple activity and decide not to floss.
Flossing helps remove plaque in between your teeth and away from the gum lines, where the toothbrush does not reach. Flossing every day can help prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
Follow these steps to make sure you are flossing correctly:
- Wrap the floss tightly around your fingers.
- Insert it in the spaces between your teeth.
- Slide it up and down gently under the gum lines. Do this at least twice or thrice.
Floss at least once a day. If you bleed, visit supersmilesortho.com for advice from a dentist.
Stay Hydrated
A dry mouth is a symptom of many diseases and also contributes to tooth cavity and gum disease.
Water is the healthiest drink for your body, and drinking water is the best way to keep your mouth hydrated. For your teeth, it helps flush them clean and prevent tooth decay.
The easiest way to keep your mouth hydrated is by drinking tap water, which has the required fluoride level. Often, bottled water comes from sources where the fluoride levels are not observed, or with no fluoride at all. Healthy fluoride levels strengthen teeth and discourage decay.
You should also check your intake of dehydrating drinks, such as sodas, coffee, and alcohol.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a leading cause of unhealthy smiles.
Cigarettes contain tar and nicotine, which turn the color of your teeth to yellow and also cause gums to erode. Although the stain on the teeth can be cleaned, don’t forget that it can also go deep into the enamel.
When the gums erode, they form deep pockets around the teeth, making them appear longer. They also get dark spaces between them.
When treating gum disease, smoking makes it difficult to reverse the disease.
Visit Your Dentist
Prevention is better than cure. Visiting the dentist regularly is general advice, but some people choose not to follow this tip for some of the following reasons:
- They are afraid of the dentist.
- They can’t afford the services of a dentist.
- They think that their teeth and gums are fine.
- They did not enjoy their past visits.
Routine oral health checks are the foundation of keeping a healthy smile for years. If any of the above reasons are keeping you from visiting the dentist, you need to rethink your choices. These regular checks help detect, prevent, or treat gum diseases in the early stages. If left untreated, oral diseases can lead to gum and bone destruction, which eventually leads to tooth loss.
You are advised to visit your dentist at least once every six months.
Final Thoughts
If you want to improve your smile, then, you have to take action. It can take a while before you achieve your desired smile, but this should not discourage you as it pays off in the end.
Brush and floss your teeth daily and make sure you are doing it well. Keep drinking water so that your mouth stays hydrated. Also, give up smoking and visit your dentist at least once every six months.
These easy steps will have you maintaining a healthy smile well into your old age.
This post was last modified on November 13, 2022 2:00 am