Everyone wants to smile confidently. Even if you have a great smile, you know the feeling of self-consciousness when you have something in your teeth. So, how do we keep ourselves smiling bright for the long term? Here are 3 Tips For Keeping & Maintaining a Healthy Smile.
Brush your teeth regularly
Most everyone knows that they should brush their teeth at least twice a day. However, almost equally important is using the correct technique.
Brushing too aggressively can actually cause damage to your teeth and gums. Use small circular motions and a 45 degree angle. Avoid a sawing motion. Brushing your teeth should take close to 2 minutes.
Also, use a soft bristled toothbrush instead of a hard bristle.
Avoid Smoking
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that it is bad for your teeth and mouth?
Smoking can increase your risk for gum disease and it slows your body’s ability to heal. We aren’t just talking about tobacco either. Smoking cannabis is also detrimental for your oral health since it can irritate gums and stain your teeth.
Additionally, smoking can stain your teeth and give you bad breath.
Drink Water Instead of Sugary Drinks
You probably know that sugary drinks such as soda, sports and energy drinks, and juice are not good for your health. Sugary drinks are one of the leading causes of dental caries.
The bacteria in your mouth feed off of the sugar and create acid as a byproduct that eats through the enamel of your teeth.
Drink water whenever possible instead of sugary drinks. If you do have something with a lot of sugar, rinse your mouth out afterwards. Also, use a straw if you can while drinking soda or acidic drinks.
I hope you learned something in these Tips For Keeping & Maintaining a Healthy Smile.
Contributor
- Dr. Phillip Buckley
- St. Clair Family Dentistry 525 E. Springfield Road St. Clair, MO 63077
- 636-629-1103
- stclairfamilydentistry.com