Smile at strangers and you just might change a life. However, many people are too shy to smile and may even cover their mouth when they laugh. In addition to the fact that it can be quite uncomfortable and cause damage to your self-esteem, problems with teeth and gums can cause a lot of other problems. In this article, we have gathered seven effective tips on how to improve your smile.
1. Maintain proper oral hygiene
It is important to understand that poor oral hygiene can lead to various complications. The most common are:
-
Bad breath
-
Teeth discoloration
-
Tartar build-up
-
Tooth decay
-
Gum disease
-
Dental abscess
-
Unpleasant taste in the mouth
A thorough tooth brushing and flossing can help prevent the development of these oral issues and make your smile look better.
2. Follow a healthy diet and drink enough water
Many people think that nutrition doesn’t have a great impact on the condition of your teeth and gums. But the reality is that the foods and drinks you consume can either worsen your smile or make it healthier. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to eat fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, eggs, oily fish, seeds, nuts, and drink a lot of water. It is better to choose water that contains fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
3. Consider teeth whitening
If you have yellow, gray, or stained teeth, you can undergo teeth whitening to improve the look of your teeth. There are a lot of teeth whitening options that can be undergone at the dentist’s office or at home. However, it is essential to treat all your oral issues beforehand and use teeth whitening kits that are approved by dentists.
4. Use teeth whitening toothpaste and mouthwash
If you have mild tooth discoloration, you can use teeth whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. Teeth whitening toothpaste contains abrasive particles that remove dental plaque and surface stains from your teeth while mouthwash can help whiten your teeth and refresh your breath. However, it is better to choose a toothpaste with small or medium abrasive particles in order to not scratch your tooth enamel.
5. Don’t neglect teeth cleaning
Teeth cleaning is an in-office procedure during which a dental hygienist removes tartar accumulation, dental plaque, and other debris from your teeth. This can make them look whiter as well. People who smoke, don’t maintain proper hygiene, have crooked teeth, or are prone to tartar build-up may need to undergo teeth cleaning on a regular basis.
6. Avoid high-pigmented and acidic food
Black tea, coffee, dark berries, red wine, and many other foods and drinks that contain a lot of pigments and/or acids can significantly affect the look of your teeth. You should understand that foods and drinks that contain both pigments and acids can make your teeth look dark and remove your tooth enamel. This can result in enamel wear and increased teeth sensitivity.
7. Visit your dentist regularly
If you want to have a healthy and beautiful smile, you need to visit a dentist on a regular basis. The point is that many oral issues can develop without any obvious symptoms. As a result, they can slowly destroy your teeth and impact your gums. A professional dentist can easily diagnose the condition that affects your smile and perform the accurate treatment.
The bottom line
There are a lot of factors that can affect the condition of your teeth and gums and make your smile look unsightly. Fortunately, modern dentistry provides a lot of options that can help improve your smile and make your oral cavity healthy.
