When you're confident in your smile, you're confident in yourself, and it shows. When you have a smile that's less than ideal, then you may notice it takes a direct hit on your confidence. However, there's no reason why everyone can't have beautiful teeth!
In order to obtain and maintain a
great smile, you must first know how to take care of your teeth. Healthy teeth
and gums will give you the foundation you need to have a beautiful, confident
smile. How can you get started?
You can start your journey towards a
healthier smile by continuing to read below. In the guide below, you'll
discover several steps for caring for your teeth. When you follow each of these
steps, you'll soon have that smile you always wanted.
Here's everything you need to
know.
Brush
and Floss Twice a Day
The first thing you want to do is
ensure you have the right brushing and flossing
routine. How often do you brush your teeth? How often do you floss
your teeth?
You should be flossing each time you
brush your teeth and you should be brushing at least twice a day. It's a good
idea to brush and floss after each meal, but it's not uncommon for people to
not have access to a sink, toothbrush, and
toothpaste after lunch. For this reason, stick to at least twice a day.
You can, however, bring floss picks
with you everywhere you go so you can easily floss your teeth after meals away
from home. Try to floss your teeth before you brush. Flossing will help loosen
any food particles from your teeth, which you can then remove completely with
brushing.
Only
Use Your Teeth to Chew Food
Do you often use your teeth to open
packages or other items? Many people will turn to the strength of their jaws
and teeth to quickly open things they can't do as easily with their hands.
Although it might work, this is actually bad for your teeth.
A good rule of thumb is to only use
your teeth to chew food and nothing else. Try to avoid chewing your nails, on
pencils and pens, and more. Using your teeth as tools is an easy way to damage
them. Using them on anything other than food can cause chips, cracks, or
breaks.
It's also important to remember to
avoid eating sticky foods often when you have crowns or fillings. Foods like
caramel, taffy, and other similar items can pull your crowns or fillings
out.
Limit
Sugary/Acidic Foods and Drinks
Foods and drinks high in sugar or
acid can cause damage to the enamel on your teeth. Eventually, drinking or
eating foods in this category on a regular basis can lead to decay. You don't
need to cut these items out of your diet completely, but it's important to take
note of how much of them you eat.
Limit how many times a week you eat
these foods and then be sure to drink lots of water afterward. Drinking water
after eating or drinking anything high in acid or sugar will help rinse it off
of your teeth. If you have access to a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a sink, then
be sure to brush your teeth after consuming these items.
Wear
a MouthguardFor Sports
Do you love playing sports? Playing
sports is a great way to stay healthy and active while maintaining a social
life. Sports can be a risk factor to your teeth if not properly cared for,
however.
Each time you play a sport, do be
sure to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards could decrease the amount of damage
caused to your teeth or prevent damages altogether. Make sure to speak with
your dentist about having a mouthguard custom-made for your teeth.
A custom-made mouthguard will fit
your teeth better and will be more comfortable to wear for an extended period
of time.
Rinse
With Mouthwash
If you're not already using
mouthwash, then now is the time to start. You should rinse with mouthwash
before or after brushing your teeth. A quick mouthwash rinse is also beneficial
for those who can brush and floss due to where they're at.
Instead, you can bring a
travel-sized mouthwash with you and rinse and spit in the bathroom. Mouthwash
will help clean areas of the mouth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
Mouthwash will also help remineralize the teeth and reduce the amount of acid
in your mouth.
You can speak with your dentist
about a recommended mouthwash brand to try.
Schedule
Routine Dentist Visits
The last bit of advice we have to
offer about maintaining good oral hygiene and a bright smile is to see your dentist on a regular basis. It's important to schedule routine
dental visits throughout the year. Most people with no oral health issues will
need to see their dentist twice a year for regular cleanings.
If you have any oral health
complications, then your dentist might advise you to come in more often. Seeing
your dentist on a regular basis is essential for several reasons. For starters,
they can provide teeth cleanings and whitenings, which might be the solution
you're looking for to get a white smile.
They can also notice early signs or
symptoms of possible dental health issues, which they can then treat right away
before they worsen. If you haven't seen your dentist in quite some time, then
be sure to contact them today to schedule your appointment.
Always
Know How to Take Care of Your Teeth
When you know how to take care of
your teeth, you can create the smile you want. Healthy teeth and gums are the
foundation of a beautiful smile. Follow all of the helpful tips listed above to
get started.
To find more topics on health, continue to check back here for new posts!
