The best way to have a beautiful smile is to have a healthy set of bright teeth. It is more than just straight, white teeth that make the difference in your grin; it's about the overall health of your mouth. Here are five easy steps to make your smile have that healthy glow.
1. Nail the At-Home Routine
The biggest factor in the look and condition of your teeth is going to depend on your care at home. If you have not established a daily routine, it's time. The basic steps are:
· Brush your teeth twice a day, for
three minutes each time
· Floss every day
· Make sure your dental products have fluoride in them
· Rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash
Once you figure out a routine that works with your schedule, it is all about making it a habit. Commit to these improvements by setting reminders for yourself. These can be done in any form that works for you, such as using reminders on your phone or post-it notes on the bathroom mirror. The sooner you make it a habit, the better.
2. Improve Your Snacking
Snacks are an important part of most people's diets. If you are going to reach for something between meals, limit the amount of sugar. Simple sugars stick to your teeth and give bacteria a place to hang out and build up plaque. This leads to cavities, which don't benefit your smile at all and increases the amount of yellow along your gum line and between teeth. Try grabbing something good for you during these snack times and your smile, and waistline will thank you.
3. Rethink Your Diet
There are other food and drink items that can damage your smile's color. The items that will stain, yellow, and darken your teeth to avoid are:
· Wine
· Coffee
· Soda Pop
· Cigarettes
Other items to consider avoiding are highly pigmented and highly acidic foods. The chemicals and colors of the food will discolor your teeth. Acids will weaken teeth, leaving them exposed to cavities and color damage. If you are going to consume these items, brush your teeth as soon as possible afterward to avoid staining your smile.
4. Stop Problems Early
Dental problems are always less work to fix when caught early. They are also less expensive. If you are having any kind of pain or see something that concerns you, make sure you call or make a note to bring it up to your dentist at your next visit. Take time to examine your teeth and gums in the mirror after brushing for potential problems that you can see, like bleeding, swollen gums, or sudden discoloration in the teeth.
5. Visit the Dentist Regularly
One of the best ways to keep your smile healthy and beautiful is to visit your dentist regularly. Most people are fine to visit every six months, but if you are having a lot of problems, your dentist may ask you to come in more frequently. During these appointments, a dental hygienist will do a professional cleaning, including removing plaque and tartar. This single step can go a long way in keeping your mouth healthy, brightening up your smile, and making sure that problems are fixed early.