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In a world where selfies and constant social media attention reign, a photogenic smile is vital. It can improve your personal and professional opportunities and raise your self-confidence. However, if your smile isn’t up to par, it causes you to doubt yourself. However, a smile can always be improved. Here are six tips you can take to improve your smile and get the sparkle you’ve always wanted.
Get a Quality Toothbrush
It’s easy to grab the cheapest toothbrush option a couple of times a year when you’re doing your grocery shopping. However, the cheap packs from the drug store are probably not your best option.
Think of your toothbrush as an investment, returning you with an outstanding smile. Electric toothbrushes are the recommended option.
However, if the electric is outside of your budget, look for soft-bristled brushes. Medium or firm bristles are more likely to scrape at the enamel of your teeth and damage it.
Be sure that you brush for the entire recommended two minutes two times a day, and replace your toothbrush at least every three months.
Floss
Most people underestimate the power of flossing. Flossing removes plaque between teeth and under the gum line. If not flossed, this plaque will harden within two days, becoming tartar, which is difficult to remove without scraping.
Neglecting your gums is detrimental to good overall health. Keep an extra container of floss at work to floss after meals. If you dislike traditional floss, you may prefer floss picks, a water flosser, or interdental brushes.
Consider Cosmetics
Depending on the way your teeth are aligned and your past dental habits, your smile may only be corrected with a cosmetic procedure. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are custom made to fit over the front of your teeth.
Veneers are great for hiding stains, but can also cover small gaps between your teeth. In extreme cases, like tooth loss, dental implants are also an option. Get the opinion of several professionals before you move forward.
Don’t Skip your Checkups
Even with regular brushing and flossing, you will not be able to get rid of all the food particles left behind. Visiting your dentist twice every year for professional cleanings will remove plaque buildup and tartar, keeping your smile brighter and whiter.
This will also allow your dentist to keep a closer eye on your dental health to catch any potential issues early before they become health risks.
Drink Lots of Water
It may surprise you, but drinking water regularly is important for your dental health, as well as for the health of the rest of your body. Health authorities generally recommend drinking eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day, though that’s not always feasible.
Listen to your body and drink water whenever you’re thirsty. Water detoxifies your body and flushes out food particles that get stuck between the teeth.
Also, while it can’t replace good dental hygiene, water is a great way to freshen your breath if you don’t have access to brushing and flossing.
On days that you pack tuna salad in your lunch or pick up an onion bagel for breakfast, put a few leaves of mint in your water.
Avoid Tobacco
Stains from smoking and other tobacco products are more permanent than you think. The stains can embed deep into your enamel, making it difficult or impossible to restore a healthy smile.
Nicotine is highly addictive, so you will have to wean off this habit gradually over time. Regular tobacco use can also lead to oral cancer, as well as several other types of cancer.
A beautiful smile is an integral part of your health and cosmetic appearance. It will raise your self-confidence and help draw people to you.
More importantly, taking care of your smile protects you from many dental health issues and provides you with the opportunity to present the best version of yourself.
