Having a healthy smile is an extremely desirable trait; it boosts self-confidence, makes you look more attractive, and promotes overall well-being. Keep the following smart tips in mind if you want to maximize your chances of maintaining a sparkling, healthy smile throughout adulthood.
* Avoid smoking; exposure to the chemicals in cigarettes undermines a healthy smile by staining your teeth, increasing your chances of developing oral cancer, promoting the development of gum disease and sometimes even causing tooth loss.
* Reduce your consumption of diet and regular sodas. Regular sodas can ruin a healthy smile by encouraging tooth decay, and the acidic artificial sweeteners in diet sodas can erode your teeth as well.
* Always opt to cut or rip packaging, as dentists see far too many patients who have ruined their healthy smiles by cracking or chipping a tooth while attempting to tear open a package with their teeth.
* Practice good techniques when it comes to brushing your teeth, as your approach to brushing can make all the difference to whether you maintain a healthy smile well into older age. Specifically, use a soft-bristled brush and brush using circular motions to avoid damaging the enamel of your teeth.
* Although it can seem like an annoyance, brushing and flossing your teeth soon after eating foods that are high in starch will help to preserve a healthy smile by reducing the potential for decay.
* If you think you might be grinding your teeth during the night, speak to your dentist about acquiring a customized mouth guard. In addition to helping you keep your healthy smile by decreasing the chances of tooth damage, these mouth guards can treat associated symptoms like jaw pain and clicking.
* Guard against cracked teeth and cut gums by avoiding tongue or lip piercing. It is all too easy to bite down on the mental by accident, damaging an otherwise healthy smile.
* Finally, always make time for dental checkups every six months. You may think you have a healthy smile, but your dentist can notice (and compensate for) warning signs of decreasing oral health.