5 Tips For A Healthier Smile

5 Tips For A Healthier Smile

A healthy smile is more than just sporting your perfect white teeth. In fact, it goes beyond the color of your teeth. A healthy smile means that everything in your oral cavity —- gums, jaw, mouth, the soft tissues inside your mouth, tongue, and others — are also healthy. And a healthy smile cannot be achieved overnight. 

However, the 5 tips below can help you improve your oral health and achieve a healthier smile.

  • Brush and floss regularly

The American Dental Association  (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Part of your brushing habit is choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste. Whether you are using a traditional toothbrush or an electronic toothbrush, choose a soft-bristled one so you won’t hurt the soft tissues in your gums when brushing. Opt for toothpaste with fluoride too as it helps strengthen your teeth and protects it against bacteria.

  • Cut our sugar, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks

Sugar is the number one enemy of your teeth. Sugars from the food and drinks that you consume will make your mouth the perfect habitat for bacteria. When bacteria react with sugar, plaque can start to build up. If it is left untreated, it will cause cavities and will start to eat up your tooth enamel. 

Tobacco, alcohol, and coffee are also known to cause tooth discoloration. Apart from that, they also contain acids which weakens the teeth and damage the nerves in your mouth. Tobacco is known to cause oral cancer. If you want better oral health, boost your calcium intake and reduce tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and other harmful substances. 

  • Drink lots of water

Water is good for your overall health. Being the universal solvent that it is, water will rinse your mouth and dissolve the sugar and acid that are sticking to your teeth. With this, you can remove the causes of cavities out of your mouth and treat bad breath. Instead of drinking a soda when you feel thirsty, choose to drink water.  

  • Eat vegetables

You probably already know how sweets and other sugary treats can cause tooth decay. Let go of these sweet temptations as they won’t do you good. Fruits and vegetables aren’t just good for your overall health, they also serve a very important role in maintaining a healthy mouth. Celeries, apples, cucumbers and other fruits and vegetables also act as natural toothbrushes as they scrape off the food particles and plaque on your teeth. They also stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth; thus, neutralizing the acids that cause plaque. 

  • Visit your dentist 

Prevention is always better than cure. Do not neglect your dentist’s appointments even if you don’t feel anything wrong with your teeth and mouth. Regular dental checkups are preventative maintenance and will help you maintain aa healthy smile. During your dental visits, submit yourself for an oral cancer examination too, especially if you are at higher risk.

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