Smiling is one of the defining characteristics of humans. We don’t just smile to show happiness, we use our smiles to communicate in a number of circumstances. Lots of us are self-conscious about our smiles but there are some simple things that we can do to improve them. Here are just four ways of improving your smile and maintaining your oral hygiene.
Brush And Floss Daily
Brushing and flossing your teeth is probably the most obvious and most basic thing that you can do to make your smile look better. It also happens to be one of the easiest things you can do and is something that any of us can do.
Most people are pretty good at brushing their teeth twice a day, but they overlook the importance of flossing. Flossing will enable you to clean out all the plaque that builds up between your teeth and gums and will target those areas that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Obviously, there is a huge controversy around flossing as it was pointed out by many that it is not effective. In reality, it is effective. This is why dentists recommend it. The problem is that most people do not know how to floss right. With this in mind, learn how to brush your teeth and how to floss properly. If you do this, you will notice the clear benefits.
Stop Smoking
There’s no shortage of good reasons to quit smoking. Take it from an ex-smoker, everyone wants you to quit. Sure, there’s nothing like that first cigarette of the day. But smokers quickly become desensitized to the smell that they carry around with them and, let’s face it, post-coital cigarettes just aren’t as sexy as they once were.
Quitting smoking isn’t just a fantastic move for your health and your wallet; it will also improve your smile. Or, at least, it will prevent your smile from becoming any worse. Smoking stains your teeth and simply stopping smoking won’t remove these stains. However, the longer you smoke for, the more discolouration your teeth will suffer.
It is possible that the discoloration that was caused by smoking does not go away simply because you stop the bad habit. If this is the case, there is not much that can be done. You will need to go to the dentist and most likely go through a teeth whitening session. It is also possible to whiten your teeth at home but make sure you still go to the dentist for indications and for a check up before you do this.
Consider Dental Work
If it has been a while since you visited the dentist, then you never know what oral hygiene issues you might have missed. For many people who are self-conscious about their smiles, all that is required to transform their self-esteem is some minor dental work. Consulting with a dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry, like Edgerton and Glenn DDS, will alert you to any dental or oral hygiene issues. If these issues can be resolved relatively easily then your self-esteem could be transformed virtually overnight.
Cut Back On Coffee, Tea, And Red Wine
It isn’t just smoking that can have an adverse effect on your teeth, and therefore your smile. Other common causes of tooth staining include tea, coffee, and red wine. If you are really serious about improving your smile and maintaining your oral hygiene then you will want to cut all of these from your diet, or at least significantly reduce your intake.
All of the aforementioned substances can cause superficial staining on your teeth, staining that is easily removed by a dental hygienist. However, if you consume a lot of any of these substances, the staining can penetrate to the tooth enamel itself, making it much harder to remove. The teeth whitening option we mentioned above becomes much more complicated and you will have to go through many sessions. Also, sometimes the damage is irreversible and you will have to coat your teeth in order to get them looking as white as you want them to be.
If you are self-conscious about your smile then don’t worry, you are far from alone. Fortunately, if you stick to the advice outlined above, then you shouldn’t have any trouble improving your smile and feeling more confident about yourself. Remember that in order to maintain a healthy-looking smile, you need to stay on top of your oral hygiene. Regular visits to your dentist will make this easy and keep your smile beaming for years to come.