Everyone wants a brilliant smile, but not everyone is willing to do the work it takes to get — and keep — their grin gorgeous. Admittedly, by the time many of us realise how important it is take care of our teeth to have them look their best and be their healthiest, a lot of damage has been done. We’re talking cavities, discolouration and enamel wear. This said, all hope is not lost. You can still help keep your teeth as pearly white as possible with these simple, amazing tips.
1. Eat for Mouth Health
What you eat can take a serious toll on your teeth. You probably know by now that too much sugar is no good for your teeth, but soda and booze are also bad news. Both of these bevies contain phosphorus, which is good for you in moderation, but in excess, it will diminish your calcium levels which can result in gum disease and tooth decay.
Foods that are good for your mouth health include fruits, nuts, cheese, vegetables and chicken. In general, healthy whole foods are your best bet for better teeth. The best drink? You guessed it! Water!
2. Floss!
This tip may seem obvious, but judging by some lackluster oral health the world over, it seems to be advice that’s for the most part ignored. Brushing alone won’t do enough. It can’t get in between your teeth to clean the places where sugars from foods can hide and cause cavities as well as discoloration. Aim to floss once a day and your oral hygiene (and smile!) will improve dramatically.
3. Brush Your Whole Mouth
Yep! Not just your teeth. You should brush your tongue as well as the roof of your mouth to ensure you’re getting rid of as much bad bacteria as possible. And when you do brush your teeth, be sure to brush gently to avoid gum deterioration. Start with the brush bristles at a 45 degree angle at the gumline and then brush up and down, and back and forth.
4. Enforce Overnight Protection
Many people rinse their mouth after brushing their teeth, but it’s actually advantageous to leave a little toothpaste in your mouth. The fluoride in the toothpaste will strengthen the surface of your chicklets even when you’re not brushing.
5. Brush After Sticky Meals
There are some meals that leave a film on your teeth. It feels icky, smells bad and doesn’t look that great either. Brush your teeth after these meals: twice if need be. Saliva does a good job of washing away most build-up, but sometimes, even our bodies’ natural cleaning mechanisms need help.
6. Buy Quality Products
You should be serious about your mouth health, and this means buying dental products that are good quality. From brushes to toothpastes to whitening systems, you will get what you pay for. Also remember that these things are going in your mouth, so the more natural the product, the better.
6. Buy Quality Products
Finally, get to a dentist regularly: every 6 months is ideal. It doesn’t matter if you follow every single of these tips perfectly, you still need to have your teeth professionally inspected and cleaned. You can’t see inside your own mouth, and you could be missing tell-tale signs of minor or serious problems.
