5 Ways to a Healthier Smile
“A smile is the light in the window of your soul”- Unknown. For many people a person’s smile says a lot about them. 48% of American adults say that a smile is the first thing they notice about someone. Your smile is important, and in this article you will learn the 5 important ways to maintaining a healthy smile.
1. Make sure you are seeing your dentist regularly
Going in and seeing your dentist regularly can mean something different to everyone. Most commonly people are seen every 6 months, but many people need more frequent hygiene visits, such as every 3 or 4 months. Bacteria in the mouth reforms after 12 weeks, meaning if you are at high risk for gum disease you need to be seen more often to ensure a healthy mouth. Another thing done at each visit is a fluoride treatment; fluoride done at each dental visit has shown to decrease cavities by 75%.
2. Brush two times per day
Brushing is the most beneficial thing you can do at home to help keep a healthy smile. Even if it sounds silly you can in fact be brushing your teeth wrong. Looking at the picture below you can see the correct brush angle.
It is also important to brush in a circular motion rather than a scrubbing motion. The scrubbing motion can damage the teeth by removing gum tissue and eventually tooth structure. It is also important to use a soft or extra soft bristled toothbrush to ensure you are not damaging the tissue and teeth.
3. Floss daily
Flossing, although not everyone’s favorite thing, is just as important as brushing. A majority of cavities start in between the teeth. If the plaque and bacteria are not being removed with floss daily, it makes for the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, and causes cavities to form. The image below shows how to floss correctly.
4. Rinse with mouthwash
Using a mouthwash can help reduce the amount of leftover bacteria in the mouth after brushing and flossing. There are however mouth rinses that can be more harmful to the mouth.
Make sure to use a mouth rinse that is antibacterial and is alcohol free. Mouth rinse with alcohol can dry out the tissue. A mouth rinse such as Closys is a great option for an alcohol-free rinse with great antibacterial components.
5. Eat healthy
The best thing you can do during the day is to stay away from sipping or eating things with high amounts of sugar, acid, or foods that stick into the grooves of the teeth. These include pop, juice, sports drinks, lemons, and most hard sticky candy. Drinks and food that are good for you include tea, cheese, yogurt, vegetables, and nuts, to name a few. It is best to avoid snacking in between meals, but if you choose the right foods you can help prevent cavities.
A Guide for Brushing and Flossing Correctly
Looking for a more in-depth guide on how to properly brush and floss? We’ve got you covered!
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