There are various methods to keep your smile healthy and bright, and by following a few simple tricks, you can maintain the perfect white smile. Common oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing and flossing can prevent plaque buildup that leads to cavities, tartar buildup on teeth, and bad breath.
When visiting your dentist for routine checkups, they will be able to provide you with specific advice about caring for your teeth based on your individual needs. It is important to remember that everyone’s mouth is different, so what works great for someone else may not work well for you or vice versa. Here are seven ways to keep a bright smile!
1. Brush Twice a Day and Floss Once a Day
Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day; one of those times should be before bedtime. If you are eating or drinking something sugary or acidic, then it is best to brush thirty minutes after consuming that item to avoid enamel erosion. When brushing, use toothpaste along with a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in circular motions. This allows for an overall thorough cleaning to get rid of any bacteria hiding between the teeth and around the gum line.
If possible, try not to miss brushing or flossing during the day because doing so can lead to plaque buildup, which will eventually turn into cavities! Flossing daily helps remove any food particles left stuck in your teeth, along with leftover plaque buildup in between your teeth. If you don’t have time to floss or would rather not, it is fine to skip this step as long as you are brushing twice a day and following the tips below!
2. Limit Sugar Intake
Excess sugar consumption can cause cavities and tooth decay which affect everyone regardless of age. Sugary items such as chewable vitamins, gum, energy drinks, fruit juices, candy bars, and soda should be avoided because these promote plaque buildup on your teeth that eventually turn into cavities!
Ingesting too much sugar also causes your mouth’s natural saliva production to decrease, which makes it more difficult for an individual to fend off bad bacteria from growing inside their mouth. So the next time you go shopping, try buying less sugary items to limit your intake of sugars and starches.
3. Don’t Forget to Visit the Dentist
No matter how diligent you are with brushing and flossing, visiting the dentist for checkups twice a year is important to removing plaque buildup before it can turn into cavities. This will also allow your dentist to provide recommendations on better ways that you can keep your teeth clean at home!
If you are like most people then having a habit of not remembering when it is time for another dental cleaning, try setting the alarm on your phone or write down appointments in your planner
4. Fluid Replacement
If you drink lots of coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, or fruit juices throughout the day without replacing fluids using an appropriate beverage, it can lead to a dry mouth. This means the mouth doesn’t have enough saliva production, which promotes plaque buildup and tooth decay from sugar from carbohydrates in these drinks. Try drinking water throughout the day, so you have a steady flow of natural saliva being produced!
5. Replace Your Missing Teeth
If you are like many people and have missing teeth due to accidents, cavities, gum disease, or other issues, then your dentist might recommend a tooth implant. These are small posts that are inserted in the upper or lower gums where your teeth used to be, which will allow for crowns with false teeth being placed on top of them. These can give you back a bright smile and also improve your ability to chew!
6. Quit Smoking
Studies have shown that individuals who smoke cigarettes or cigars are more likely to get gum disease than non-smokers. This can lead to tooth loss or yellowing of your teeth, which will affect the appearance of your smile. Why not try quitting smoking altogether because it is good for you, and there are plenty of resources out there with tips on how others like yourself were able to quit successfully!
7. Use Whitening Products
There are many ways you can use to whiten your teeth to give yourself a brilliant smile. From using a whitening toothpaste, mouthwash to brushing with hydrogen peroxide, there are numerous products available in the store without a prescription that will clean out stains! This is effective if done regularly for at least two weeks, so you have the desired results you are hoping for.
Maintaining a healthy smile is important for your overall well-being. It’s also crucial to have a beautiful smile that boosts your confidence. These are just some many ways you can keep your teeth clean and white!