Your smile makes a big difference in how you appear and is usually the first thing people will notice about you. A bright, beautiful smile makes the onlooker perceive you as happy and healthy and adds a ton of charisma to your personality.
On the other hand, a dull smile with unbrushed or unmaintained teeth puts you off as a messy and lazy person. Your mouth is also an easy gateway for germs and irritants, and poor oral hygiene makes you susceptible to several health problems down the road.
If you want to prevent this negative image of yours, paying attention to your teeth is important. This involves doing more than the bare minimum of just brushing your teeth. With this article, let us explore the top 5 dental tips to get healthier teeth and flaunt that beautiful smile unabashedly.
Get regular check-ups from the dentist
You should visit your dentist at least once or twice a year, even if you don’t have any serious dental concerns. Usually, oral hygiene issues such as tooth sensitivity, cavities, and root infections take time to develop, and can be hard to detect in their initial stages. But a dentist can help you out and remedy these problems for you. You can also opt for treatments that help fix crooked teeth.
Getting braces is a popular choice to fix crooked teeth, but most people get discouraged by their unnatural looks. The good news is that you can use transparent braces to avoid unsightly metal brackets. If you reside in Washington State’s King County, you can find a good clinic specializing in these. Most people opt for Invisalign braces Kirkland WA because of their excellent services and ambiance. You can do a quick Google search for similar clinics in other localities.
Crooked teeth don’t just put a damper on a beautiful smile, but they also spell serious issues in the long run. If neglected, they exert unnecessary pressure on your teeth and gums, causing tooth cracking, decay, and gum diseases. These can, in turn, lead to stomach infections, body aches in the neck, shoulders, and head, and increased anxiety from deteriorated self-esteem.
A dentist, especially one familiar with your medical history, can easily identify these dental problems. They will guide you correctly about the preventive measures you should take to mitigate them and if surgery or other corrective procedures are required.
Floss after every meal
While many people diligently brush their teeth regularly, they often don’t pay heed to another essential that complements it: flossing.
Flossing removes food that gets stuck between your teeth so that it doesn’t build up tartar or lead to cavities and sore gums. It is also something you should ideally do after every meal, unlike brushing, which you should only do two times a day. Good flossing ensures your smile looks perfect and untainted by your last meal (unless you really want to advertise that).
Remember to apply gentle pressure between your teeth when you floss. Aggressive flossing in the hope of achieving cleaner teeth is an absolute no-go, and you can end up with swollen gums and toothache. Pay attention to each tooth, and don’t be hasty with flossing. Additionally, you can use mint-flavored floss to stave away the bad breath and leave your mouth feeling refreshed.
Use a suitable mouthwash
While stuck food can be removed by brushing and flossing, some germs are harder to eliminate. This is where a good mouthwash comes in handy. A suitable mouthwash used twice a day helps flush out all germs and bacteria that are taking shelter in your mouth and is a must for maintaining good oral hygiene. Mouthwash also keeps your breath fresh.
Many types of mouthwash are available on the market, but choose one your dentist recommends. If you want your breath smelling a certain way, you can opt for scented ones and keep any bad odor in your mouth at bay. Vanilla and mint are the most popular choices in mouthwashes and make you smell more attractive. So the next time you hit the store, give mouthwashes with these scents (or some other of your liking) a try.
Are you choosing the right toothpaste?
Your toothpaste is your best defense against all kinds of dental health problems. With the right toothpaste, you can get a bright, beautiful smile within no time. So, does your toothpaste contain the right ingredients your teeth need? The following list summarizes some important ingredients you should be on the lookout for:
- Fluorine: Look for 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride in your toothpaste. It strengthens the outer surface of your teeth (enamel), making them more resistant to decay and tartar buildup.
- Potassium nitrate: If you suffer from teeth and gum sensitivity, switch to a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate. A 2012 study showed significant positive results of using one for dentinal hypersensitivity.
- Hydrogen peroxide: If your teeth look dull and yellowish and you wish to whiten them, a toothpaste containing a safe amount of 0.1% or less hydrogen peroxide is the way to go. You will notice the difference within the first week of using it.
Limit sugar and acidic beverages
Your diet greatly influences the health and overall look of your teeth, and a healthy diet goes hand in hand with good oral hygiene.
While tempting to your taste buds, sugary food and sodas are an absolute menace to your teeth and gums. They are food sources for bacteria, and the residue left behind on teeth can be extremely difficult to get rid of if you are a chronic consumer. Several studies have proven that sugary items and carbonated drinks can damage your teeth, from eroding their protective enamel coating to becoming feeding dens of germs and bacteria.
If you value your teeth and don’t wish to lose them way earlier than you hit retirement, you must limit the amount of sugar and acidic beverages you consume. Since these are also bad for your health and a common cause of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, consider switching them up with healthier alternatives such as unsweetened lemonade or green tea. Instead of candies and gum, try munching on vegetables and oatmeal snacks to boost vitamins. You’ll notice a positive difference in your smile and your weight, skin, and sleep schedule.
Conclusion
Flossing after every meal, being picky about the mouthwash and toothpaste you use, turning towards a healthier diet to getting misaligned teeth fixed will ensure your oral hygiene is in excellent condition. Diligently follow the above five tips; you can rest assured that onlookers will be envious of your beautiful smile.