Your smile is a big part of your personality. A smile breeds confidence and as much as we all enjoy seeing a happy face, showing off yellow crooked teeth that smell bad is just foul.
The secret to having a healthy, white and an attractive smile is through proper oral care. A bright set of teeth can last a lifetime. Besides, oral health is a good indicator of overall well-being.
Everybody knows that one should brush their teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before going to bed. But rarely do people follow the advice.
Brushing isn't a time consuming practice; a 2 minute brush, twice a day, is all you need to keep your teeth clean. And don't forget to change your toothbrush at least every 2 months, or once the bristles start to fray. This will help prevent bacteria from building up.
Flossing might be one of the most neglected acts of oral hygiene, but it is as important as brushing. Food can get stuck between the teeth, which can be uncomfortable and painful. Not to mention it can cause an accumulation of plaque and bacteria which leads to bad breath. Whenever there's food stuck between your teeth, floss.
The tongue might be the strongest muscle in your body, but most of the time, the bad smell of your mouth comes from bad tongue hygiene. Millions of bacteria collect on your tongue and brushing your teeth won't remove them.
Tongue scrapers are inexpensive solutions and they will make your mouth feel fresh. Start by cleaning the back of your tongue, and work your way forward. If you don't have a tongue scraper, don't worry. You can use your toothbrush.
Water cleans your mouth with every sip and keeps your saliva levels balanced. It washes away leftover food and keeps your teeth strong by washing them with minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride. Drinking several glasses of water a day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.
Most toothpastes and teeth whitening products contain baking soda. If you happen to run out of toothpaste and need to head out, baking soda can act as a good alternative. It can help remove surface stains so it's a good solution if you need quick results. Be aware though. Brushing your teeth with baking soda often could damage the enamel that coats your teeth.
Coffee and soft drinks can cause permanent, yellowing stains on your teeth. Giving up your morning coffee might sound hard so try rinsing your mouth after drinking it.
Same goes for soft drinks. They are hard on your teeth and can cause tooth decay. As long as you have a good mouthwash in your desk or your purse, you shouldn't be afraid of getting yellow stains.
Smoking can cause staining on teeth as well as bad breath. If you have any doubt about this, just tell a one or two year old chain smoker to say “aaahh”! You will immediately get the picture.
Tobacco is well known to be one of the leading causes of oral cancer as well as periodontal disease. And what is a smile if you have a big gaping hole in your mouth oozing out pus?
Sweets are infamous for being the prime suspects for tooth cavities. This is because certain oral bacteria feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the tooth enamel. Keep sweets to a minimum if you are considering to improve oral health. And again, always brush after eating them.
Your teeth are essentially calcium. And everyone knows milk is an excellent source of calcium. Milk is known to help develop strong teeth as well as decrease the chances of tooth decay. Plus, who doesn't like a warm mug of milk before bed or hot cocoa?
Maybe you don't like going to the dentist, but your dentist is your friend. Dentists can give proper advice on what steps you can take to make sure your teeth remain healthy and strong. They can also spot early infections and cavities and prevent bigger problems from occurring. Want a nice smile? Get regular checkups.
