How To Maintain A Healthy Smile Through Life

A smile is one of the first things people notice about a person. If you help take care of your teeth and gums, they will help take care of you. Here are a few things you can do to keep your mouth in tip-top shape!

Floss Like A Boss

Both unwaxed and waxed floss will do the trick. It is suggested that you use wax floss if you have teeth that are spaced closer together as the wax provides a little more ease when fitting in tight spaces. Truthfully, the best floss is the floss that you’ll actually use. So whatever helps you maintain a consistent routine is the right option.

One last pointer, when you do floss, make sure to use a “C” swipe motion. This motion helps get under the gums and along the edge of the tooth to capture anything your toothbrush might have missed.

Go The Distance

And by distance, we mean you need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Make sure to scrub and get in between each crevice as best as you can. Soft-bristled brushes are typically recommended for both handheld and electric toothbrushes.

Don’t dismiss your tongue, it too needs to be brushed as it can be a major component to bad breath. Oh, and don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months as the bristles can fray and become worn.

Eat Well and Prosper

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Ok, not really, but a good diet and healthy exercise are essential to keeping your body in good shape. Did you know, 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral symptoms? Yep, besides keeping those teeth smile-worthy, you’re keeping your whole body in better shape.

Foods to avoid: those with lots of sugar. Think soda and highly-sweetened snacks. Also, some starchy foods can also raise acid levels which aren’t good for your teeth enamel.

Visit A Dentist

We’re sure you expected this one to be on the list! Regular visits to the dentist are recommended as your teeth need maintenance too. Dentist visits can also help with prevention which is key.

How frequent should you visit? About twice a year. In between visits, it’s important to keep up with your daily oral care. Hopefully, the constant care makes your appointments go that much smoother.

Be Good To Your Gums

Ah, those gums… the sometimes forgotten stronghold of the mouth. They are in need of constant TLC (tender love and care). If you do bullets 1-4 on the list, your gums should be in good shape. Flossing, daily oral care, dentist visits, eating well, it can all help prevent gingivitis or worse, gum disease.

Smiling is an international language, and it has more benefits than you think. A smile alone is said to be able to help relieve stress and send out those feel-good endorphins. Plus, it’s way easier to smile than it is to frown! Taking care of those pearly whites today only helps in protecting them against aging and the effects of other wear and tear.

Tonight, grab that toothbrush and give your teeth a little extra love, they deserve it!