Approximately half of Americans are self-conscious about their smiles, and who could blame them?
Your teeth are one of the most observable parts of your face. Any staining, chips, or cavities on the teeth are hard to miss.
Everyone craves a perfect smile, but getting one is easier said than done. Without proper dental care, having that perfect smile will be nothing but a piped dream. However, with the right dental habits and regular dentist visits, you’re destined for a beautiful smile.
Today, we’ll be highlighting a few dental care tips to put you on track to having a sparkling smile. Without wasting too much time, let’s dive straight into it.
Table of Contents
1. Brush Your Teeth the Right Way
You’ve been brushing your teeth since you were a child, but there’s a high chance you’re doing it wrong. Without the right brushing techniques, brushing your teeth will be futile in your quest for a perfect smile.
For more effective tooth-brushing, keep the following tips in mind:
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
- Start brushing from your gum line, and work at a 45-degrees angle
- Brush both the outside and inside of your teeth
- Brush your teeth and gums, but remember to brush gently
Keep the above tips in mind for a more thorough brush. Be extra choosy on the type of toothbrushes you use. Hard bristle brushes are a definite no-no.
2. Use a Fluoride Toothpaste
Use toothpaste with fluoride to keep your teeth healthy and gleaming. Look for fluoride toothpaste with the ADA seal of acceptance for the best results.
Fluoride toothpaste is great because it helps protect the teeth against cavities that lead to tooth decay.
Next time you’re out shopping, be sure to grab yourself a tub of fluoride toothpaste. It’s one way to keep your teeth free from cavities.
3. Floss Regularly
Most of us have no problem with brushing our teeth but are quick to throw flossing on the backburner. However, flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth when it comes to oral health.
Flossing helps get rid of tiny food particles that are beyond your toothbrush’s reach. It also removes tartar that may harden into plaque if you act too late. That said, make sure you floss immediately after brushing or after you’ve had your meals.
Some benefits of regular flossing include:
- Fresh breath
- Prevents gum disease
- Prevents the formation of tartar
Make flossing a routine part of your day for strong and healthy teeth. However, don’t overdo it, or it might damage your gum tissue.
4. Change Your Toothbrush
It’s essential to change your toothbrush at least once every three or four months.
The more you use your toothbrush, the more worn out the bristles become. Worn-out bristles are not only ineffective in cleaning teeth but also damage your gums.
Also, bacteria and plaque accumulate in your toothbrush the more you use it. The longer you stay with your toothbrush, the more bacteria it collects. These bacteria may lead to diarrhea and sometimes skin infections.
5. Schedule Teeth Whitening Treatments
If your teeth have a characteristically yellow tinge, no amount of brushing will make it go away. Your only option is to arrange for teeth whitening treatment and make your teeth a few shades lighter.
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to clean your teeth of any yellowing or stains. Proper teeth whitening can also help prevent yellowing or staining in the future. The effects of teeth whitening will last for a few months to a couple of years.
Teeth whitening is a great way to get you that sparkling smile in less than two hours. However, you’ll have to schedule regular teeth whitening treatments for lasting effects.
Make sure you hire the right dentist for the job to ensure gleaming white teeth.
6. Eat a Proper Diet
Your body requires the right nutrients to form strong and healthy teeth.
We’re talking about nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, among others. Some foods that are rich in calcium and phosphorus include nuts, milk, soya beans, and cheese.
Apart from these foods, also consider incorporating sardines, tofu, and leafy greens into your diet. These foods are great for strengthening your teeth for a lovely smile.
7. Avoid Eating the Wrong Food
While eating food rich in calcium and phosphorus is good, you should avoid food that compromises your dental health.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks, especially soda and fruit juices. Limit sugary snacks like candy and cake because they stick to your teeth and lead to cavities.
Apart from avoiding starchy and sugary foods, stay away from things that stain your teeth. These items that stain your teeth include coffee, cola, soy sauce, and red wine. However, the biggest culprit for teeth-staining is nicotine found in cigarettes.
If you want snow-white teeth, you might have to give cigarette smoking a break. It’s either that or spending a bundle after every few months for teeth-whitening treatments.
8. Use Straws When Possible
By using straws, you prevent whatever you’re drinking from getting in direct contact with your teeth.
Straws are especially useful when drinking sugary or acidic drinks that may be detrimental to your teeth. They reduce the teeth’ exposure to these drinks and help prevent staining and cavities.
9. Drink Plenty of Water
Water is crucial for a strong and healthy body and teeth too.
Drink lots of water to help reduce the level of acidity in your mouth. Remember, high acidity wears down the enamel, the protective cover for your teeth.
What’s more, drinking plenty of water can help dislodge food particles from between your teeth. Because tap water is fluoridated, the fluoride component will help strengthen your enamel for stronger teeth. Plus, drinking lots of water holds a host of other benefits for your body.
Proper Dental Care For a Beautiful Smile
The above dental care tips should help bring you much closer to having a gorgeous smile.
Remember, having proper dental habits is the only sure way of getting that Hollywood smile. Also, don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups for the best results.
Check out the other pieces on the site for more informative reads.
