7 Daily Tips to Improve Your Smile
Guest blog post written by the team, at Northway Dental
Dental Hygiene – Is it important?
A bright, healthy-looking smile can make a great first impression. A beautiful smile also improves your self-confidence and overall mood.
Teeth can become stained through smoking, poor oral hygiene, and consuming certain foods and drinks like tea, coffee, or red wine, so many people seek out cosmetic treatments for improving their smile, such as teeth whitening and dental veneers.
However, there are several natural ways you can enhance the appearance of your smile every day through simple hygiene practises and small lifestyle changes.
Here are seven top tips to keep your teeth and gums looking healthy for a dazzling smile.
Brush your teeth twice a day
Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes twice a day removes bacterial plaque. Plaque can cause bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and discoloration. Regular brushing helps to remove surface stains, revealing the true whiteness of the enamel underneath.
Brush in a circular motion, paying attention to each surface of your teeth. For a whiter, brighter smile, you may also opt to use a whitening toothpaste specifically designed to remove stains.
Once you’ve brushed for two minutes, spit out any toothpaste residue, but do not rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. The fluoride in your toothpaste will continue to work for a short time after brushing.
2. Don't overbrush
While brushing is an essential part of any oral care regime, take care not to overbrush. Doing so can cause your enamel to wear away, exposing the lower layers of the tooth, known as dentin.
Dentin has a naturally yellow tone, and it is impossible to whiten with either special toothpaste or even professional teeth whitening treatments. Enamel wear can also leave you far more susceptible to sensitivity.
Also, brushing too hard can cause your gums to recede. Gum recession can make your teeth appear longer, which is not aesthetically pleasing to many patients. It can also lead to increased sensitivity and even tooth loss.
3. Floss everyday
An integral part of any oral hygiene regime is to floss between your teeth at least once a day. Use a section of floss or dental tape per tooth, slide it in between the teeth, and gently move it up and down to remove trapped food particles.
Flossing helps to prevent gum disease, which can cause the gums to become inflamed and uncomfortable or bleed when you brush. Periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease, can also lead to gum recession and tooth loss.
4. Use mouthwash in early morning
Mouthwash helps to kill bacteria, even in hard-to-reach areas. Use a mouthwash at least once a day. However, take care not to do so immediately after brushing, as you will only wash away the residual fluoride from your toothpaste.
Some people use mouthwash first thing in the morning, immediately followed by their brushing and flossing routine. The mouthwash provides all-day protection for your mouth from bacteria while re-mineralising the teeth.
5. Ensure to gargle
Gargling with a salt water rinse can increase the pH balance in your mouth, so bacteria struggle to survive, therefore reducing your chances of getting decay. A salt water rinse of ½ teaspoon of salt and one cup of water can supplement your daily oral hygiene routine.
Alternatively, gargling with antibacterial mouthwash can help to remove germs from the back of your mouth and the opening to your throat, reducing your risk of developing an infection.
Once you’re finished swilling your mouthwash around your teeth and gums, tip your head back and gargle with it for another 30-60 seconds before spitting it out.
6. Avoid sugary foods and drinks
Cavities form when sugar reacts with bacteria and creates acids that erode tooth enamel. Even once they’re treated, cavities can still look unsightly, so to maintain a beautiful smile, try to limit your sugar intake as much as possible.
If you do consume sugar, have it at meal times if you can and sip plenty of water to help wash away some of the sticky residue. Above all, make sure to brush your teeth whenever you consume any food or drink high in sugar to limit any harmful effects.
7. Forbid smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of several oral health problems, including bad breath, gum disease, mouth cancer, and tooth discoloration. It also inhibits the body’s natural healing ability, exacerbating many of the issues it causes.
8. Visit your dentist once in six months
A crucial aspect of any oral health regime is regular check-ups with your dentist. Your dentist can identify dental complications in their early stages and administer the appropriate treatment to keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition.
Professional cleanings with a dental hygienist are also a great way to keep your smile looking bright and healthy. If you would like to know more about ways you can improve your smile, ask your dentist for advice.
Written by the team, at northway-dental.co.uk
Author Bio:
Located in Ormskirk, the Northway Dental Practice is a well equipped and reputable dental clinic headed by Dr. Andrew Crosby and Dr. Priyal Crosby highly experienced in the area of cosmetic and conservative dentistry.