Nothing but the tooth: 8 ways to improve your smile

I asked a question a little while ago: Can you smile too much? The popular answer is “no.” Aside from the stress-beating health benefits, being able to smile gives us confidence at job interviews, first dates, work meetings, etc. However, if you have issues with your teeth – loose molars, black fillings, and so on – you might not want to open your mouth, which can affect your confidence. Below are ways to improve your smile by targeting the look and health of your teeth. With a bit of care, as you floss and drink more water, it is possible to get a nicer smile. 

1. Ways to improve your smile: Floss daily

Flossing reaches areas where your toothbrush can’t reach. Getting rid of the food caught up between your teeth, you are removing the risk of plaque and tooth decay. The traditional method is the string-based approach, though many people give up on this after a while as it can be a time-consuming process. If this is your experience, you might want to try a water flosser to get the job done faster.

2. Visit your dentist

The D-word can strike fear in a lot of people, but for better oral health, you do need to visit your dentist. With 6-month checkups, your dentist will remove the stains and tartar buildup on your teeth. They will also get to the root of possible issues that could otherwise be cause for complaint later on. Should you encounter a mishap, such as a broken tooth, there are urgent dental services available if you can’t wait to see your regular dentist.

3. Give up bad habits

We all know eating sweets is bad for us (say hello to tooth decay), but there are other habits you should give up. Smoking is one such example, a habit that has life-threatening consequences and also ruins your teeth.

The stain from the smoke will soak into your enamel, causing discoloration, and in extreme cases will rot your teeth until they fall out. A less dangerous habit is drinking tea and coffee, but these drinks can also stain your teeth and cause tooth decay.

However, rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth will alleviate some of the after-effects of your caffeine intake. If you do find that you have bleeding gums, pain or break a tooth on hard candy or something else, it’s time for an emergency dental appointment. Making that appointment can help you move forward with a healthy mouth and bright smile.

4. Teeth whitening products as ways to improve your smile

There are loads of whitening products on the market, from gel pens to specific toothpaste. They aren’t a replacement for good oral hygiene, but they will color over any unsightly stains on your teeth.

While you could go for something from the local store, you might also consider laser whitening as is a longer-term solution to discolored teeth. Speak to your dentist for qualified advice on the best whitening method for your teeth.

5. Change your toothbrush

That frayed old toothbrush you’ve had for years isn’t going to help you. Over time, the bristles on the head lose their effectiveness, so you should buy a new toothbrush every six months or so. Alternatively, go for an electric toothbrush. While they are more expensive than the regular kind, they do last a lot longer, and studies have shown they remove more plaque than the standard toothbrush. I use one!

6. Brush your teeth properly

We know brushing our teeth is important, but your efforts are counter-intuitive if you make one of these toothbrushing mistakes. You need to take care that you don’t do more damage than good, such as scrubbing vigorously.

Then, despite the myth, don’t rinse your mouth out after brushing, as the water reduces the effects of the fluoride from the toothpaste. Take your time when brushing your teeth, getting to every nook and cranny possible.

Then, follow it up with a good floss, as mentioned earlier. Dentists recommend we brush twice a day, but you may want to brush after every meal as well.

7. Drink more water

Soda will corrode your teeth, and alcohol can cause discoloration. So, do yourself a favor and drink more water throughout the day.

There are many health benefits to water; drink more water as it’s good for your teeth too. Avoid buying bottled water; use tap water instead. It has more fluoride, that handy ingredient that promotes better oral health.

8. Ways to improve your smile include eating healthy foods

Foods that contain a lot of sugar are bad on the tooth, as well as those containing starch, such as bread and potato chips. Provided you brush your teeth after eating them, you will alleviate the damage.

However, there are healthy foods that are known to improve the health of your teeth, as well as fruits that can whiten teeth naturally. Remember them the next time you go grocery shopping.

Moment of tooth

Look after your teeth with regular brushing and flossing, visit your dentist regularly. Also, make every effort to form good habits as you eat healthy foods and drink more water.

If you follow this simple advice, you will reduce the chances of tooth decay. The changes won’t happen overnight but with continued practice, you will have the confidence to smile and show off your healthy-looking teeth.